Vikings in the spotlight
Ava Brogren: Women's Swimming
Brogan is an exercise science major who swims both breaststroke and individual medley. After graduation, she plans to start working.
What advice would you give to underclassmen?
The advice I would give is to embrace every moment. The early mornings, the tough sets and the van rides may not seem fun at the moment, but you'll miss it one day. Stay present, trust the process and always work harder than you did yesterday.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors?
It's been an honor to wear the blue and gold each day. Wearing the colors means representing everyone who supports us such as teammates, faculty, alumni and family. It's something I never take for granted.
What has been your favorite memory on the team?
My favorite memory was winning conference for the first time my freshman year. Being part of that team and experiencing that moment together is something I will never forget.
What has Augustana meant to you?
Augustana has been a place of growth for me. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, challenged me academically and athletically, and helped me develop confidence in who I am and what I'm capable of.
Cael Larson: Wrestling
Larson earned his undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing from Augie. He is currently finishing up his master’s in business administration. After graduation, he hopes to pursue coaching “to give back to the sport that has given [him] so much.” Larson has served as a team captain for three season, a position voted on by his teammates.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
The future of this team isn’t slowing down anytime soon, especially with the coaches we have and the culture they’ve built over so many years. It’s a brotherhood like no other. Whether you’re a starter or not, everyone wants the best for each other, and it shows when we travel and see teammates and families there supporting every guy. This team will be competing for trophies for a long time.
What has Augustana meant to you?
I’m forever grateful for this university — for the people it’s brought into my life, the education it’s given me, and the opportunity it’s given me to grow not only as an athlete but as a person. This place has been a part of my life for five years now, and it truly feels like home. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without Augustana or the impact it’s had on my life.
What is your biggest motivation?
My career hasn’t been steady, to say the least. For my first 2.5 years, I didn’t wrestle much at all. I had four surgeries along with other injuries that kept me sidelined. So I’d say everything I’ve gone through on this journey has become my biggest motivation. Anytime I get the chance to lace up my shoes and step on the mat — whether it’s competition or practice — I’m just grateful. I try to enjoy every second because you never know when it could be taken from you.
What has been the highlight of your time on the team?
Honestly, every year with this group of guys has been a highlight of my life. But as a kid growing up in wrestling, you always dream of being the best and going to college to win a national title. Running out onto the stage mat in the center of an arena to “Pump It Up,” achieving a childhood dream of getting my hand raised, seeing my parents mat-side and my teammates going crazy in the crowd — that will always be one of the most memorable moments of my career. What once was a dream is now a reality.
Cadie Ragland: Dance
Ragland is a senior majoring in both Spanish and nursing with a minor in biology. She currently serves as the dance team’s communications captain. After graduating, she plans to move back to Minnesota and work as a registered nurse.
What has been the highlight of your time on the team?
I think my biggest highlight is being able to be on the team that took that nationals floor for the first time. Going to nationals has been a dream since I was young.
What are you going to miss most about Augustana?
I am going to miss the atmosphere at the games. It has been so amazing to be right in the action on the sideline helping the crowd cheer on Augustana.
How long have you been dancing? How does it feel as your career comes to a close?
I have been dancing since I was 5 or for 17 years. It’s definitely crazy to think that my career is coming to an end. From as young as I can remember, my life has been all about dance. I am excited to see what my future holds with this big step away.
What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivation throughout the whole time on the team has been my two best friends. They have pushed me to be better and encouraged me when times became tough. I have been so fortunate to dance alongside them throughout my time here at Augustana.
Brady Helgren: Men's Basketball
Helgen is a senior forward double majoring in business administration and finance. He plans to begin a career in finance after college.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors?
It means a lot — playing for a program with a lot of tradition and just trying to represent the culture to the best of
What lessons has college basketball taught you that will stick with you?
College basketball has taught me to stay persistent and to embrace
What is your biggest motivation?
My family. They have always supported me and sacrificed a lot. I just want to make them proud.
What has been your favorite memory on the team?
My favorite memory is the Mankato game at home this year. It was a fun crowd to play in front of.
Madison Johnson: Cheerleading
Johnson is a double major in Spanish and government & international affairs with a minor in English and emphasis in pre-law. After graduation, she plans to attend law school to earn her Juris Doctor. Johnson currently serves as the gameday captain.
What lessons has college cheerleading taught you that will stick with you?
The biggest lesson cheerleading has taught me is adaptability. Not everything will be perfect, and that’s okay. There are moments when routines change, games don’t go as planned or things feel overwhelming, but you learn to stay calm, trust the process and move forward. I have learned that sometimes you just have to take a breath, smile and keep going. That mindset is something I will carry with me far beyond the sidelines.
What are you going to miss most about Augustana?
I will miss my friends and the atmosphere the most. My friends have made such an impact on who I am, and I can’t imagine what it will be like when we all go our separate ways. I will also miss the Augustana community because it is unlike any other. I feel at home at Augustana.
What has been your favorite memory on the team?
My favorite memory on the team was the 2025 Key to the City game. Going into the second half, I wasn’t sure if we would be able to come back, but the energy completely shifted. The crowd was on their feet, the noise was unreal and our team fed off that momentum. Being on the sideline at that moment felt electric. It was truly a highlight of my senior year.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
I hope the team continues to grow in new knowledge, experience and leadership. We have built such a strong foundation of teamwork and accountability, and I know they will keep raising that standard. They are an incredible group of women who constantly push themselves and support one another. I cannot wait to see how they continue to build the program and accomplish amazing things in the future.
Isaac Rokusek: Men's Swimming
Rokusek is a computer information systems major with a double minor in computer science and business administration. He currently works full-time as an IT Security Specialist at Sanford and plans to continue working with them after graduation. Rokusek swims the sprint/ mid-distance freestyle and shorter individual medley.
What has been your favorite memory on the team?
My favorite memory has to be my freshman year when we took a “training trip/J-term class” in Costa Rica. There really wasn’t much class that happened down there, and some days we didn’t practice, but I made memories there that I will never forget.
What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivation these past few years has been trying to get a national qualifying time in a race and possibly go to nationals. I finally got a “B cut” in the 100 freestyle back in December during our midseason meet, but I ended the year still being about a second off of actually getting a nationals invite.
How long have you been swimming? How does it feel as your career comes to a close?
I’ve been swimming for 9–10 years now, and I don’t think being done has really set in yet, but I do feel accomplished knowing all that I have worked for and achieved.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
The future for this team is going to be fantastic. The returning swimmers from last year and the freshman class that Coach brought in are all extremely talented. I know that within a few years we will be sending a couple of people to nationals for various races.
Kristin Edmonds: Women's Basketball
Edmonds is an exercise science major and is one of the team captains. After graduating, she plans on attending the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to earn a doctorate in physical therapy.
What advice would you give to underclassmen?
Your performance does not define you. If your identity is fully dependent on how you perform in basketball, after basketball ends what will you be? Waking up and knowing who you are in Christ is more valuable than anything basketball can give.
What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivation is my relationship with Christ. Jesus is the center of everything that I do, and if all of this is not for His glory, then I’m doing it wrong.
What do you expect for the future of your team?
The future of the women’s basketball team is building. With a strong underclassmen group, the program can continue to build upon Coach Vogel’s system with chemistry, understanding and loyalty.
What has it meant to you to represent your school’s colors on the court?
It is an honor to be able to do something that I love for a prestigious university. While representing Augustana's colors on the court, I want to display a hard work ethic, sportsmanship, leadership, and the joy of Christ.
