Augustana seniors reflect on their athletic journeys
Grace Glanzer: Softball
Glanzer is a fifth-year right-handed pitcher, earning her degree in elementary education. Upon graduation, she is looking forward to “unapologetically enjoying [her] summer” before beginning her first year of teaching in August.
What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivation on the field would be my teammates. We focus a lot on playing for the person beside us, and competing our hearts out for each other. Personally, I'm motivated by the feeling I'll have when it's time to hang up my cleats. I know if I do everything I can in my power to succeed and help those around me succeed, I will leave feeling proud of what I did and who I was, no matter the outcome.
What advice would you give to underclassmen?
As difficult as it is at times, just be present. I am still working on this daily, but it makes all the difference. If you're too focused on the past or too worried about the future, you will miss what's right in front of you. I've been a college athlete for six years, and although that sounds like a long time, it flew by. I would also say that part of being present is embracing the struggle. What we do as college athletes is hard, but it's what shapes you and prepares you for life, so take it on with your head up and shoulders back. You'll look back at the end of it all and be so proud of yourself for embracing the hard times and enjoying the present times.
How long have you been playing softball, and how does it feel as your career comes to a close?
I've had a softball in my hand for as long as I can remember. I started playing at just four years old, but I've been competitively playing for about 14 years now. As my softball career comes to an end, I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had, the people I've met, and the lessons I've learned. Being a college athlete is an exceptional challenge, so I can look back on my six years and feel proud of what I've accomplished, not just on the mound but the growth I've had as a person, too. I don't have enough words to describe how much I will miss it, but it's definitely a bittersweet feeling as I reflect on my career. I've given my absolute all to this sport, and it has given me so much in return, so because of that, I can walk away from it with a sense of pride and an abundance of gratitude.
Andrew Martens: Men’s Track and Field
Martens is a senior hurdler, double majoring in computer science and computer information systems. After graduation, he will be working full-time at EROS as a system operator while being a part-time student at Dakota State to pursue his master's in computer science.
What are you going to miss most from Augustana?
I'm going to miss the people the most. In high school, when I was looking at colleges, the coaches who recruited me stuck out as really genuine and fun people. Their character played a large part in why I committed here, and after meeting my other coaches and teammates, I can say the same about them.
What is your favorite memory on the team?
It was a festival year at Indoor Nationals, which only happens once every four years. A festival year is when all sports' national championships are hosted in the same area, and this year the sports that were hosted were indoor track and field, wrestling, and swim and dive. That event was super cool because it highlighted other sports and Augustana's other two teams had an amazing performance.
What is your biggest motivation?
My competition with myself is my biggest motivation. Track and field is very black and white in the sense that you know what your fastest time is, and any time faster than that is ‘winning.’ I have always been focused on trying to be faster each meet every season because I find it very rewarding to watch myself develop as an athlete and achieve faster times.
Shannon McCormick: Women’s Golf
McCormick is a senior, double majoring in anthropology and computer science and software engineering. Upon graduation, she will be working at the Augustana’s Archaeology Lab as a seasonal field technician and will eventually go to grad school for archaeology.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the course?
It has meant a lot to me to represent Augie on the course. This team has a long history of winning titles and it’s amazing to think I have contributed to that. There were definitely moments when our team was seen as the underdog, but we proved that we can compete with everyone else. Being able to come back to Augie with our wins is so rewarding.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
The future of the team is very bright. Although the team is losing two seniors, we have some good recruits coming in next year and plenty of returning players. We are leaving the team in great hands with the next senior class to continue the legacy.
What is your favorite memory on the team?
Choosing one memory is incredibly hard. There are just too many. The best memories come from the van while traveling. Like singing the ‘Pitch Perfect’ riff-off in the van or talking about the most random things for 12 hours.
Henry Dornbusch: Men’s Tennis
Dornbusch is a senior tennis player, majoring in government and international affairs. After graduating, he plans to earn his masters degree in international security in England and to continue playing tennis.
How long have you been playing tennis, and how does it feel as your career comes to a close?
I have played tennis since I was seven, so now almost 14 years. As my college career comes to an end that’s obviously a sad moment, but also a sense of pride for all we have achieved as a team. My tennis career is going to continue, over the summer playing prize money tournaments and then during my master's, and possibly beyond depending on how much I will improve, so I look forward to all I can achieve in the future. But I also know I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without my time here at Augustana.
What advice would you give to underclassmen?
My advice to underclassmen would be to remember why they are here. Augustana is a place where you can make it your own, and you can get so much out of it when you remember what you came here for. The priorities you set will define your time at Augie and the legacy you leave behind. The four years go by so quickly that you really have to use your time if you wanna achieve great things, and so remembering what you came here for, what you want to achieve, has really helped me.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
Over the course of my four years here, there have been a lot of impactful moments, but I think the most important one was the graduation of our upperclassmen. After they graduated, my fellow (now) seniors and I had to take the reins and shape the team into what we wanted it to be. It took us a little while to figure out what we wanted it to look like, but I think in the end, we are all proud of how far we have come. But we couldn’t have done that without the initial shock of our upperclassmen leaving and having to adjust to that.
Kylee Sallee: Women’s Track and Field
Sallee is a senior multi-event track and field athlete, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing as well as a masters degree in sports administration and leadership. After graduating, she will stay in Sioux Falls as a digital marketing specialist for Sanford Health.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
I was lucky to be part of a strong and talented class of athletes, but I’m excited to watch the younger athletes continue to grow and succeed. The future of the Augustana track team is bright as these athletes continue to develop.
What are you going to miss most after graduation?
After graduation, I’m going to miss spending time with my teammates every day. Those friendships are what have made this journey so special.
What is your biggest motivation?
My family, teammates and coaches are my biggest motivation. I find the most success when I compete for those around me.
Will Allen: Men’s Golf
Allen is a senior golfer majoring in biology with a pre-med emphasis. After graduation, he will be attending the USD School of Medicine for his master’s degree.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
One of the most impactful experiences I've had at Augustana has been the unwavering support from the academic faculty. I haven’t had a single professor who hasn’t shown genuine care not just for my academic success, but also for my athletic and personal growth. The level of attention and encouragement students receive here is truly unmatched. When people ask me what the best part of being an Augustana student is, I always say it’s the community. I can walk down the biology hallway and have a meaningful, personal conversation with any professor, even those I haven’t taken a class with. It’s a rare kind of support system that not only enhances our education but also prepares us for whatever comes next in life. They will go out of their way to set us up in the best way possible. They are invested in our future, which is something I have always admired.
What advice would you give to underclassmen?
Enjoy every moment — it truly goes by in the blink of an eye. It feels like just yesterday I was moving into Solberg Hall and nervously running through my class schedule 500 times to make sure I didn’t do something embarrassing on the first day. Savor the time with friends, the meals at the commons and even the highs and lows of academics. It’s all part of a really special journey, and it’s easy to take it for granted at the moment. Be goal-oriented, but don’t let your goals consume you. This is a time not only for academic and professional growth, but for personal and community growth as well.
What are you going to miss most from Augustana?
I’ll miss the camaraderie and sense of community I’ve shared with my classmates and the Augustana staff. It’s been incredible to see how we’ve all grown together while pursuing our own paths. I’ve made lifelong friends and unforgettable memories, but I’ll especially miss seeing and hanging out with my classmates every day.
Annika Williams: Acrobatics and Tumbling
Williams is a senior base and tumbler, double majoring in elementary education and special education. After graduation, she will return to Augustana to finish student teaching and will be working with the acrobatics and tumbling staff.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the mat?
Representing my school’s colors on the mat has been a true blessing. It’s an incredible honor to showcase how far we’ve come over the past three years and to proudly represent Augustana. It’s an experience I will never take for granted.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
I know they will continue to grow and push each other to be their best both on and off the mat. They’ve already made a name for themselves by placing fourth at nationals, and I’m excited to see everything they accomplish moving forward.
What has been an impactful moment for you?
An impactful moment for me as a student-athlete has been realizing that my teammates will always be there for me, both on and off the mat. Knowing I can count on them when I need them most is such a blessing, and I’m grateful to know these girls will always be a part of my life.
