I am a recent graduate from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in family studies. I grew up playing hockey and soccer; and continue to support my two younger brothers throughout their own hockey careers. I enjoy being outside, exercising, and spending time at my cabin in Merrifield, Minnesota. I love having game nights, movie nights and watching sporting events with friends and family.
What do you like most about BA?
I love how much Breakaway Academy cares about its students. We are constantly pushing students to be the best versions of themselves in all areas of life. No matter what our student’s goals and dreams are, we are here to support them. I also enjoy how Breakaway is constantly developing their program to provide nothing but the best for their student-athletes. The character education program is very unique and an important part of our students’ lives. It provides them with basic tools to succeed and grow in their athletics, education, and personal relationships.
Why is it important to have solid academics in addition to good hockey training?
We want all of our student-athletes to be well rounded individuals and that comes from working on academics in addition to their athletics. It is important for athletes to realize that sports are not the only priority in their lives but only a portion of it. We encourage students to be a good friend, respectful, and a leader to siblings and peers. Having a strong academic foundation is critical to the success of our athletes no matter their goals and dreams.
Which coach or teacher had the biggest impact on your life and why?
I will forever remember Professor Audra Nuru who taught me so much while attending the University of St. Thomas. She is a teacher that I look up to and aspire to be. She always put her students and their mental health first. She wanted her students to know that she was on their team, whether it had to do with a school assignment or an outside stressor. She also understood that students have lives outside of school and that there are things in life that come up that are out of ones control. Every class she came in with positive energy and wanted to make sure that you left her classroom with at least one takeaway each day. I will follow in her foot steps and teach by being encouraging and supportive in and outside of the classroom.
What is your favorite hockey memory?
My favorite hockey memory was going to Duluth for out of town tournaments. My favorite tournament was during U14s where we spent a lot of time bonding as a team which transferred to us playing a very successful tournament. I was a defender for the U14 Wayzata girls hockey team and absolutely loved playing with tenacity and grit. Some of the actives the team and I did were a scavenger hunt around Canal Park, laser tag, and alpine sledding, along with many team dinners.
What are your coaching credentials and hockey experience?
I grew up playing hockey and had to stop my athletic career right before my junior year of high school due to mental health reasons. It was an extremely difficult transition, but it is one that has lead me to the position I am in today where I can support other student-athletes. I am also surrounded by hockey players as my two brothers and dad still continue to play. I love going to their games and watching them develop over the years.
As mentioned above, I graduated with a Bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in family studies from the University of St. Thomas. At UST, I was a Peer Health Educator where I worked on building the bridge between students and resources on campus. We informed students on topics surrounding mental and physical health. I was also an intern for Premier Sport Psychology for almost two years where I worked with a mentor on creating social media posts to educate and reduce the stigma surrounding athletes and mental health. I was able to attend workshops and gain knowledge surrounding mental strengthening and coping skills. I am currently applying for a Masters program in Sports Psychology and ultimately will pursue a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) certification.