ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
 
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
 
Up next in the senior spotlight series is Aryka Knoche who has been a dual threat both in the circle and in the batter's box for the Golden Bear softball program. Knoche, a psychology major from Little Canada, Minnesota, has appeared in 93 games and has made 90 starts in the Golden Bear batting lineup and has made 56 appearances and 45 starts in the circle during her Concordia career.
 
With a career batting average of .330 with 93 hits in 282 at bats in her three years with the Golden Bears, Knoche had become a force in the Golden Bear lineup. Knoche transferred from Drake University after her freshman year and she instantly made an impact on the Golden Bears offense. She hit .328 with 43 hits in 131 at bats with seven home runs, 42 RBIs and a .588 slugging percentage in her first season with the Golden Bears. That carried over into her junior year as she hit .330 with 41 hits in 108 at bats, one homerun and 23 RBIs with 10 doubles and a .444 on base percentage. Making only 14 starts in the lineup in her senior season, Knoche hit .209 with nine hits in 43 at bats with one double, two RBIs and a run scored. 
 
Knoche was just as good in the circle for Concordia, she held a 23-20 record with a 3.56 ERA with four career saves and 198 strikeouts in 275 career innings of work. She went 14-11 with 16 complete games and one save along with 100 strikeouts in 157.1 innings of work in her first season with Concordia. Knoche went 8-6 with a 3.12 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 85.1 innings of work in her junior season. Knoche started out very strong in her senior year, she went 1-3 with a 2.60 ERA with four starts and nine appearances, one complete game, two saves and 33 strikeouts in 32.1 innings of work.  

Throughout this season, Knoche had some very strong games both in the circle and in the batter box for the Golden Bears. She went 2-3 with a double and an RBI in a game versus Missouri Southern (02/22). She went 2-2 with a run scored against Tiffin University (03/1). Knoche threw a complete game victory over Georgian Court allowing only two earned runs and striking out nine in her seven innings of work. She also made a solid start against Ohio Dominican, throwing 6.2 innings while only giving up two runs and striking out four batters in the Golden Bear victory.
 
Head coach Bob Bartel on Aryka Knoche:
"'AK' came to us via transfer and was a great fit for us both on and off the field. A talented pitcher and hitter, she helped us become a better team on and off the field when she arrived at Concordia. We will definitely miss AK's personality and talent she brought to our team, along with her long stories."
 
ARYKA KNOCHE – IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing­ your sport?
AK: I started playing softball when I was seven years old.
 
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
AK: I transferred to CSP my sophomore year when coach Bartel recruited me. It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me! I chose to attend Concordia because of the coaching staff, academic opportunities, and especially the people. 
 
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
AK: My favorite memory as a Golden Bear is our Florida trip this last Spring Break we had. One of the most fun and competitive weeks of games that we have ever played.
 
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
AK: The thing I will miss most about CSP is my coaches and teammates. I will miss going to softball practices every day. No matter what is going on that day, softball got my mind off of it and I will truly miss that!
 
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
AK: After graduation, I will be looking for jobs in the criminal justice system and hopefully in an area where I will be helping children.
 
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
AK: In ten years, I see myself working in the criminal justice system and hope to have a family started.
 
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
AK: Coach Bartel left the biggest impact on my experience. He has been an incredible coach, leader and mentor. He is like a father figure to me. He has always been so supportive of everything in my life and has been there for me since I first came to Concordia-St. Paul.
 
CSP: Who is your role model?
AK: My role models are my parents. They are the most supportive people in my life. They are always so giving and loving to everybody. They especially give me the most unconditional love somebody could ask for. They are two of the hardest working people I know.
 
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
AK: Life lessons that I learned as an athlete on my softball team would be teamwork and hard work. Throughout my experience here at CSP, I have learned the results of how hard you work and how hard you work with those around you and the incredible impact that it can make
 
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
AK: Don't take anything for granted. Make sure you take the opportunities that are given and always be thankful for what is in front of you.
 
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
AK: Sara Stickler! She is one of the most hard-working individuals I know. She always has so much on her plate and handles everything that is thrown at her in the best way possible. Also, she is one of the most positive and goal-oriented people I know.
 
CSP: Do you have a final personalized message you'd like to share with cspbears.com readers?
AK: Thank you to CSP for giving me so many opportunities, not only to get a good education but to play softball with some of the people I love the most. It has been one of the best experiences I have ever had!