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.
Today's student-athlete in the senior spotlight series is a four year starter,
Sara Stickler, a biology major and chemistry minor from Stillwater, Minnesota. Stickler has been a staple on the Concordia defense throughout her career, earning All-GLIAC Second Team honors twice, along with GLIAC All-Academic Team honors in each of her sophomore and junior seasons.
Throughout her career, Stickler and the CSP defense quietly produced big results, culminating in a senior season that culminated with finishing ranked #25 by the IWLCA Division II Top-25 coaches' poll and #16 in the most recent released poll by Nike / US Lacrosse Division II Top-20, where the Golden Bears ranked as high as #14.
The defense was a key factor, as the Golden Bears finished the 2020 season ranked sixth in the country in caused turnovers per game (13.7), ninth in ground balls per game (25.0), 16
th in scoring defense (8.0/game) and 21
st in saves percentage (.491) – all key factors measuring the unit as a whole's success when individual statistics often don't paint a full picture of a defensive player's performance.
The program has played in 57 total games, with Stickler appearing in all 57 while making a program-high 55 starts. She's fifth in career ground balls (62) and caused turnovers (40) while her 21 caused turnovers as a sophomore are fifth most in a season, producing the fourth most in a single game (5) in her freshman year at Northern Michigan.
She's been a part of a program that has produced a 31-26 all-time record and was a starter on the 2019 team that produced team records in overall wins (11), GLIAC wins (7) and qualified for the postseason for the first time, hosting and winning its GLIAC Tournament first round contest to reach the semifinals.
Head coach Joe Nelson on Sara Stickler:
"A.K.A. 'Stick' rounded out our shutdown defense. She was a talented defender that helped us become a better team on and off the field. Stick welcomed tough match-ups with her competitive can-do attitude. We will definitely miss Stick's personality and talent she brought to our team!"
SARA STICKLER - IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
SS: I started playing lacrosse when I was in 7th grade with some hockey friends who wanted to try lacrosse!
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
SS: I chose to attend Concordia for a few different reasons. I wanted to play lacrosse, but also have the support of friends and family at home. The science department was another reason! It is a tight knit community full of support. You get to experience each of the teachers as a biology major, sometimes more than once. They have gone above and beyond to make sure I'm doing well in class, on the field, and with mental health.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
SS: My favorite memory was beating some of the ranked teams we played this year! In the fall, we beat a great team. In Florida, what was our last game together, was an overtime win. We came together more than I've ever seen, and it was a spring break I'll never forget. The coaches and other players have treated us like queens this year, and I'm forever grateful.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
SS: I will miss my teammates, research group, my bible study group and the other great teams on campus the most! It has been so fun getting to know other students and student-athletes on campus over the years!
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
SS: Upon graduation, I will be applying to medical school, to hopefully start in August of 2021. In the meantime, I will be working either as a CNA or a medical scribe.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
SS: In ten years, I hope to be a physician and connect with others via medicine.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
SS: I have had so many great experiences with staff on campus. Dr. Yang, my faculty advisor, research mentor and teacher, has pushed me in the lab and supported me so much. Dr. Schneider, my two-time history professor, has opened my perspective and helped prepare me for my study-abroad trip to Germany. Lastly, Joy Gardner of FCA has helped me grow in my faith and has been a great mentor.
CSP: Who is your role model?
SS: My mom and both of my Grandma's are my role models. All three of them are compassionate, strong, assertive and beautiful women. They all have worked in healthcare, and set a great example of what a healthcare professional should be.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
SS: As a college student-athlete, I have learned how to rely on my teammates and coaches, who are another family to me. I've learned to always give my best, be grateful in all circumstances and be a positive light for others in the midst of darkness.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
SS: Relax and have fun! I played some of my best games when I was relaxed and just out there for fun. Being serious is great, but when I became too self-critical or got caught up in my small errors, the fun of the game got away from me.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
SS: I admire my roommate and softball player Hannah Carlson. I admire Hannah on the field because she always plays hard, and plays at whatever position her coach believes is best for the team. She's always been a big contributor wherever she plays, and has been a huge supporter of my lacrosse career and my academics.
CSP: Do you have a final personalized message you'd like to share with cspbears.com readers?
SS: I am so grateful for the support I've received from family, friends, teammates and CSP staff during this COVID-19 time period. I pray for the athletes who wore their CSP jersey their last time without knowing it would be their last. Keep us in your prayers, and I wish the next years CSP athletes the best of luck! Go Bears!
