ST. PAUL, Minn. – Concordia-St. Paul head men's and women's golf coach
Taylor Auman has announced four additions to the roster for the 2016-17 season including
Heather Claussen and
Sophie Hill to the women's team with
Gavin Jocelyn and
Mike Vowels joining the men's roster.
Claussen and Jocelyn enter the program as freshmen, competing at Forest Lake High School and St. Michael-Albertville High School, respectively. Hill and Vowels are transfer student-athletes with strong experience and will enter their sophomore year at Concordia. Hill comes from Drake University while Vowels heads across town from Northwestern-St. Paul.
They join spring signee
Noah Raskinski, a prep from Lakeville South High School who was the first to ink with Concordia under coach Auman.
"The Golden Bear Golf family is excited to welcome the five newcomers for the 2016-17 season. Claussen, Hill, Jocelyn, Rasinski, and Vowels all bring a different dynamic to the team but they all share a common goal, to succeed as a Golden Bear. The five newcomers are prepared to work hard and become part of the Golden Bear family. This is going to be a very exciting year, I am really looking forward to what the newcomers and returners will do. We have a strong fall tournament schedule that will allow our teams to start the season strong," said Auman.
Heather Claussen (Fr., RH, Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake HS)
Forest Lake Area High School: A two sport athlete for the Rangers, earning five golf letters and a letter in volleyball … a two-time team captain for the Rangers, helping the team to its first Suburban East Conference championship in school history in 2015, following up with another SEC title in 2016 … helped the Rangers to back-to-back Section 7AAA championships and MSHSL State Tournament appearances in those two seasons … helped the team place second at the 2016 MSHSL State Tournament and ending the year ranked fifth overall in the state (opened the year ranked ninth) … was a four-time All-Suburban East Conference selection (2013-16) earning individual honors … place third at 2015 MSHSL Section 7AAA as an individual with rounds of 78 and 81 and placed 21
st at 2016 MSHSL State Tournament as an individual … 2014 & 2015 St. Croix Valley Junior Golf Trail Individual Champion … individual winner of multiple 2015 Minnesota Junior PGA events, qualifying for the Minnesota Junior PGA Warrior Cup … competed on the 2016 Minnesota Junior PGA Players Tour … shot career low round of 78 in MSHSL competition and a 79 in Junior PGA competition … played with Junior Olympic volleyball (2009-15) with various clubs that participated at national level and was an Alpine D-Team ski racer (2003-12) … also active in DECA (2014-16) as a regional finalist in 2015-16 for VP of Marketing … also involved in yearbook, band, choir, the community and church.
Personal: Born September 16, 1997 … daughter of Jeffrey Claussen and Tracy Anderson Claussen … will major in marketing with minors in business and communication studies … goal is to seek a career in international marketing … her father, Jeffrey was a forward for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls basketball team (1976-78).
Auman on Claussen: "Heather is a talented golfer with a lot of ambition. She signed with us during the spring period and she's excited to become a Golden Bear. Her enthusiasm is exactly what I was looking for and I couldn't be more excited for what this season has in store."
Sophie Hill (So., Medford, Minn. / Shattuck St. Mary's / Drake University)
Drake University: Competed in 27 rounds as a freshman, producing an 80.9 season average for the Bulldogs … compiled 13 rounds of sub-80 performances … finished as the team's third ranked individual on the 2015-16 roster in season average … placed second overall and led the Bulldogs at the 8-team Coyote Classic (9/21-22) in a three round event with scores of 77-77-83=237 … also the top Drake finisher at the FGCU Eagle Invitational (2/12-14) with a season-best 233 three round tournament score (79-78-76) to place 30
th in the 15-team tournament … shot season low rounds of 76 in three different tournaments including her first career collegiate round at the Redbird Invitational (9/6-7) … produced top two-round tournament score of 159 at the Red Rock Invitational (3/5-6), with rounds of 81-78 to place 31
st in the nine team tournament.
Shattuck St. Mary's: Concluded prep golf career final season at Shattuck … placed in various FCWT tournaments.
Owatonna High School: Earned three varsity letters to begin prep golf career and was named team captain as a freshman … claimed City Open Championship with a two-round score of 158 … took first place at season opening Mid-American Junior Golf Tournament at The Legacy in Faribault, Minn.
Personal: Daughter of Jeff and Becky Hill … was interested in a marketing major when attending Drake University.
Auman on Hill: "Sophie will be a great addition to our women's program for a number of reasons, but her fantastic work ethic determination to succeed really standout. She will bring her Division I experience to our team and I know that will help set our team goals high for this season."
Gavin Jocelyn (6-0, Fr., RH, St. Michael, Minn. / St. Michael-Albertville HS)
St. Michael-Albertville High School: Competed on the golf and hockey teams for the Knights in the Mississippi 8 Conference.
Personal: Born June 26, 1998 … son of Kevin Jocelyn and Trudi Barthel … has three younger brothers, Lleyton, William and Preston and a younger sister, Delaney … will major in sport management.
Auman on Jocelyn: "Gavin is an extremely hard worker and is dedicated to improving his golf game every second he can. He is a great player with an outstanding attitude on and off the golf course. He comes from a strong high school program and knows how to win as a team. He will be a positive influence on our men's program as one of two incoming freshmen."
Mike Vowels (6-1, So., RH, White Bear Lake, Minn. / HS / Northwestern-St. Paul)
University of Northwestern-St. Paul:
2015-16: An All-Upper Midwest Conference performer … led the Eagles and ranked ninth in the UMAC with a 78.70 average while competing in eight events (10 rounds) as a freshman … produced a top-5 and five top-10 finishes … finished the season with his low round of 74 in the third of the three round UMAC Championships as he tied for seventh of 45 (82-77-74=233) … shot sub-80 in six of 10 rounds on the year.
White Bear Lake High School: An All-Suburban East Conference honorable mention pick in 2015 for the Bears … averaged 80.1 with a low round of 73 as a prep golfer … helped the Bears capture a Suburban East Conference Championship, won section title and placed fourth at MSHSL State Tournament as a senior … competed in golf for the Bears from 2012-15, earning a letter in 2015 … also competed in lacrosse (2011-12) and junior gold hockey (2012-15).
Personal: Born November 1, 1996 … son of Dave and Mary Vowels … has an older sister, Abby and a younger brother, Mark … will major in business management with a marketing minor at Concordia … aspires to work for one of Minnesota's Fortune 500 companies in his professional career.
Auman on Vowels: "Mike is a quiet, ambitious leader that I am looking forward to having on our team. He is ready to bring his game to the next level as a Golden Bear and I know he will with his level of determination. Mike is going to be a great addition to our strong men's program."
