First of the Lasts

Posted by Kelley Minard, Junior from Helena, MT

It is hard for me to believe that I will be running my last indoor sprint session on Wednesday. I have thought about this day since my first sprint session of my freshman year, thinking HOLY COW I have three more years of this? But time has really flown and here I am, conflicted with mixed feelings about this upcoming Wednesday morning. Crazy right? That I am feeling sad about not getting up at 5 45 in the mornings to partake in our infamous winter sprints. Not so crazy when I think about the people running next to me.

During my time at MSUB, I have learned the true meaning of second family. There are always small jokes passed around with good friend’s families, “oh this is my second mom” or “we’re basically sisters”, but it’s nothing like what we have here in Billings, MT. These girls are my true family and I am reminded of that every morning at 6 am, when we are about to start a sprint workout. The little high-fives with Miss Courtney Harvey after a rough set or the comments “Only twenty more sprints ladies!” when you’re really not sure what is worse, the fact that you have twenty more sprints or that you have already done thirty something, and the fact that Agen Heffernan and Sabrina Grandke-Bawab who aren’t running due to injuries and conflicting sports, are there every single morning cheering all of us on. May I remind you, this is 6 in the morning and we are college students—the brain does not function well at this early hour, so for them to put in the effort to help us complete this workout is huge. I know I could not do it without them. Those little things are what get me through those grueling mornings. I don’t know where you could find a better support system then looking to your own blood-related family.

Though we are not blood related, we share a stronger connection. We are all connected with one vision. That vision is to win. I am not just talking about winning on the field; I am talking about winning in life. Soccer has been so good to me these past 15 years and as I step into my last season of something that has been a part of my life for so long, it’s hard for me to let it go. It has taught me passion, determination, and love. I am so passionate for this sport --it could possibly come out my ears, I have been humbled by determination, and I love every single one of my teammates. I know these girls will be there for me as my life takes me out of the Billings bubble and I am adamant that they know I will be there for them as well. I am not ready to give up this sport and I am not ready to say goodbye to 18 of the most amazing people I have ever known. Kari Foreman stated it perfectly in her senior blog, “Soccer is trying to divorce me, and I am not quite ready”. I know exactly how she feels.

I participated in my last captain’s practice yesterday and it didn’t hit me until Jaucelyn Richter and I were talking about how fast the winter workouts went by. I have a feeling it’s just going to get faster. It will be gone in the blink of an eye. So I will try to “enjoy” myself during this Wednesday sprint workout, knowing it will be my last. Soccer has given me the tools to succeed in life and it is now kicking me out of the nest to see if I can fly on my own. It’s a comforting feeling to know that I will always have eighteen extra wings to help that flight take off.


Finish Strong.

Rocky Indoor Tournament Recap

Posted by Jenn Brookshire, Red-Shirt Freshman from Ventura, CA

As of Monday our rest times were shortend for morning sprints, which made the sprints a bit harder for most of the team. In addition, some players were getting sick and weren’t feeling good. This was definitely not a good week to be feeling that way because the Rocky Indoor Tournament was coming up soon.

When the weekend got here we played in the Rocky Indoor Tournament. The team was split up into two teams: "Easy A" and "Wii Fit". On "Wii Fit" was Jaucey, Andrea, Biggss, Kristen, Jackie, Sabrina, Kelly, Tyshae, and Amanda. The members of "Easy A" were Whitney, Heidi, Jen, Danica, Danielle, Courtney, Agen, myself and Janae. Also our Alumni put together a team, "Expired". All three teams advanced to the semi- finals, "Easy A" played "Wii Fit" and beat them 2-1. "Expired" played Carroll and dominated them 5-1. This meant that "Easy A" and "Expired" were in the finals
competing for the name of Rocky Indoor Tournament champions. Both teams were undefeated throughout the tournament. After a long fought battle, "Expired" came out with a 3-1 victory over "Easy A". All three teams played excellent this weekend as the only losses MSUB teams had during the weekend were to each other.

On Saturday the women’s basketball played NNU, this was also they’re Breast Cancer Awareness game. Our team went all out wearing every pink article of clothing and covered our faces with face paint. We were all having a great time and at halftime won a pizza party for having the most school spirit. After triple overtime the MSUB women’s basketball team pulled out a victory and we stormed the court.

Finish Strong!

Igloo State

Posted by Janae Remsberg, Sophomore Midfielder from Oceanside, CA

What an extremely cold week it has been. No matter who I talk to, it always comes back to the beautiful winter weather of Montana. I was talking to my Dad the other day, who lives in California, and he thinks that pointing out to me that I play soccer in an “Igloo” state is necessary. However, being here in Billings while the thermometer reads -15, is something I do not even mind anymore, on the sole fact that I’m getting up at six and bearing the cold with seventeen girls who I love and adore.

Besides the weather, everything else has been amazing. On Wednesday the team was able to attend the signing of Kaylee Kimmet. It was an exciting moment for the Yellowjackets to see a new and upcoming player sign those papers and become an instant member of the family. It just brings back memories of two years ago being in the same exact position signing those official documents to play here. Time really does fly by, and now I understand what the seniors really were talking about.
Last but not least, the highlight of my semester thus far, has not been the amazing sprints in the morning or the exciting lifting regiment, even though those were high contenders, but the birth of Landon James Trentham. I cannot explain to everyone how cute Landon is! It was fantastic to go to the hospital and see the happy healthy Mom, Dad, and baby. I can’t wait to see him grow up, put those blue and gold colors on, and become the number one MSUB fan.

Stay warm and have a wonderful week.

Love Janae T Remsberg # 20