Summer Weekly Check In

Posted by Courtney Harvey, Sophomore

As many girls stated, our trip to Playa del Carmen was a blast. It was great to see my other teammates and made me realize how much I miss seeing them every day! I have spent my time at home working on our family-owned tree farm, hiking and riding horses. I plan to spend a few weekends at Jaucelyn's cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake, and I will also be busy working a few camps in Billings. The week of June 27th through July 2nd a few other teammates and I will be working the annual MSUB overnight camp. Having attended the camp the past four years, I am excited to experience the camp from a coach's point of view. It will also be enjoyable to visit with the incoming freshman who will be attending the camp!

With all the excitement and craziness of summer, I still find myself anticipating the upcoming 2010 season. With ten returning starters, a solid incoming freshman class and an overall outstanding squad, I am excited, along with many others, to see what our team can accomplish in the fall. To reach our utmost potential, everyone on the team must do their part and I can say with confidence I know we will!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Carly Valentine, Senior

Summer has been a blast so far, and this past week definitely hasn't been any different. We have been planning this trip for months and it finally came...MEXICO! On Tuesday morning we started our adventure. Most of the girls flew out of the Denver airport, so we had to drive all the way from Billings to Denver first. Once we arrived in Denver, we had a big sleepover with everyone having to leave in the morning at different times. Jordan, Courtney, Libby and Andrea had to leave for the airport at 3am! It was quite a long process to actually get to Mexico, but SOO worth it.

Once we finally got to the beautiful sun-filled beach, it was nothing but fun and relaxing times along the way. We mostly hung out on the beach the first day (when most of us got massive sun burns). At night, the hotel put on shows from disco dances to comedy nights. These were a lot of fun for us because we had gotten to know all the performers during the day.

On Friday we all decided to go on a little adventure. We went on a trip that included riding ATVs ten miles in to the jungle where we got to go on zip lines! Though we were all constantly sweating the whole time because it was so hot, it was still an absolute blast! Finally, to cool off we got to go in a fresh water cave underground. This was a bit intimidating at first, but once you were inside it was refreshing and very fun!

Sadly, now we are all back in the States. Although, I think everyone might be happy to sleep in their own bed again! It was so great to see all the girls. I'm used to seeing them literally every day of my life, and I hadn’t seen many of them for a full month! For Kristen, Janae, Jenn and Jenn, I MISS YOU GUYS!! I cannot wait to see you in August:-)

Summer Check In

Posted by Janae Remsburg, Sophomore

Where has the summer gone!!! It’s been about a month and a half since school got out and I can barely believe it. When I decided to stay in Billings I was under the impression that it would be sunny and mid 70’s; just like it would be in California if I went home. However, the last couple of weeks I have been cooped up inside due to the abundant amount of rain and wind. Finally this weekend’s forecast was perfect and I intended to enjoy the weather.

I was able to go outside and the best time I have had all summer occurred in the sunny hills of Shepherd. For the first time in my life, I rode a horse. Being from California, the opportunities to show my inner cow girl were slim to none. So I finally mounted my horse and at a snail's pace walked into the distance, mainly because they gave me a 27 year old horse that was slower than a rock for my first ride. It was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait to do it again, on a faster horse however.

While I was riding horses and learning how to track deer, I keep thinking about how most of the girls were enjoying the exotic scenery of Mexico. I hope you guys had a wonderful time and I’m already waiting to see the pictures from your trip. This summer has been great so far, and maybe next weekend I’ll learn how to go fishing or shoot a gun. Have a wonderful rest of the summer and see everyone in about a month in a half!

Summer Check In

Posted by Lauren Anderson, Senior

Summer is at full blast! It has been very relaxing and enjoyable to spend time at home with my family and friends. I have had lunch a few times with Sam Boehm in Portland and kept in touch with the girls through Facebook and texts; it’s weird not seeing them every day!

Today Sam, Adrienne and I went on quite an adventure traveling across the country to Playa del Carmen, Mexico to meet up with nine other girls from the team at an all inclusive resort. It´s Kari´s sister´s graduation and she came here with her family for her senior trip and invited all of us to come along! As of now, we haven´t found anyone yet in this massive hotel but we are managing just fine!

So, we´re off for a week of sunshine, blue ocean, pools and fun times with friends. It´ll be a blast!!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Kristen Kastelic, Sophomore

We are almost a month into summer and I’m sure everyone is enjoying the break. While it is nice have some time off and relax, we all have to remember our goal in the fall to win the GNAC (eyes on the prize!!!). It’s important that while we are all apart, we work as hard as we can for each other so we can come back better and ready to win!

I just finished my freshman year at MSUB and I had such a great time. I love being a student-athlete, and I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to be part of an amazing team! We had a great fall and great spring season, and I feel like every time our team plays together we get better and better. I can’t wait for next season because I know we can accomplish all our goals, and I know that everyone is going to put everything they have into this summer and next fall so we can win the GNAC.

Summer has been good for me so far, it is nice and hot here in Arizona and I’m loving it! I just got a job as a summer camp counselor. I’m excited that I will get to play with kids all day! We get to play games, swim, and rock climb; it should be a lot of fun. I hope we get to play soccer too :)!

Most of the team is going to Mexico in a few days! I hope everyone has a safe trip and lots of FUN!!! I wish I could be there! Enjoy the rest of summer everyone!!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Andrea Baytaluke, Sophomore

Summer time is a time for self reflection. It gives you the opportunity to focus on the things that you as an individual know you need to improve on. Knowing my teammates as well as I do, I know everyone is at home working hard, striving to become the best they can be for next year. We all work well together and are all great friends, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t all fight and battle for a place on the team. Whether it’s for a starting spot or to keep a starting spot, everyone has a goal they need to accomplish.

This past year as a freshman at MSUB has brought many changes for me, especially being from another country. Each change has brought out a new side of me and I am grateful for the opportunity to grow as a person, student and athlete. As a young adult, I have had to push myself as an individual on and off the soccer field. I have also been pushed by my coaches and teammates, as well as by my professors in the classroom. I have found that everyone is extremely supportive of each other and more than willing to help each other with any problems on and off the field.

With that being said, I can't wait to see the team again and miss them a ton! THUMBS UP FOR BEING REUNITED IN MEXICO in 15 DAYS YEEEEHAAAAAWW!!!

Summer Check In

Posted by Danielle Gordon, Junior

Summer has finally arrived in Billings and it was sad say goodbye for the summer, but the break will be well utilized! We will all be using the time we have to clear our minds from school and put focus toward one goal: soccer. We will make steps towards accomplishing that goal through the work we are about to put in this summer. Something I have really enjoyed about transferring to MSUB from a junior college is the change in pace and work ethic; a pace that continues year round from the girls and the coaching staff.

Transferring from a junior college has been not only a change in pace on the pitch, but also in the classroom, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. By being pushed farther in the classroom and outside in soccer, I had to make a few adjustments in my study habits to make sure I would be able to accomplish the goals that I have set for myself in school. Unfortunately, I had to cut out the late night street soccer games that my old men’s and women’s teams enjoyed on a regular basis at Iowa Western, but in the end it has made me a better all around student-athlete. It has also given me a lot of appreciation for the girls who have been here before me and put in the time and effort to make this program what it is today.

I was fortunate to play for a very good junior college program for the two years prior and have them to thank for where I am today. Now I am at MSUB with a great bunch of friends and teammates, along with a supportive yet demanding coaching staff that I know will help me keep moving forward. One thing I was nervous for was the transition, meeting a new team and fitting into a new family; but in the end everything was very easily made as all of the girls were very welcoming and made me feel right at home, especially the three girls who took me in the middle of the summer as a last minute roommate :-)

I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to work for this summer. I cannot wait to return back to my family away from home and put together the work we have completed over the summer into an atmosphere that is set up for success. I miss all of you girls!!! And over the next couple of months let’s keep our “Eyes on the Prize!”