11 seniors helped UST football success

November 17, 2000
Don Roney gets a smile on his face and a lump in his throat when he's asked about the seniors on his St. Thomas football team.

Roney, finishing his third year as head coach, gets a bit emotional when he talks about the 10 players and one manager who have each played direct and indirect roles in the Tommies remaining among the MIAC's football elite.

Since Mike Westland (now a fifth-year senior) started as a freshman in 1996, St. Thomas is 36-14 (34-11 in the MIAC). It's no surprise that four of the 10 graduating players have grade-point averages of 3.50 or higher.

Here's a look at the 11 Tommie seniors:

.Josh Brand -- A senior PK from Shoreview, Brand was 2-for-2 in field goals and 3-for-5 in PAT kicks this season. He was named MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week in 1999 after kicking a school-record four field goals vs. St. Olaf. In his two-year career he was 17-of-26 in PATs and 8-of-14 in field goals for 41 points. Roney says: "Josh is a good athlete who also played hockey and soccer at St. Thomas. He's had a great attitude and is one of the real good kids. He hasn't had a chance to kick as much this season because of the job Brian Lynch has done."

.Pete Cullen -- A senior tight end from Coon Rapids, Cullen has a 3.93 gpa in Math. Roney says: "Pete has helped our team in a lot of ways. He's an extremely bright person. He's helped us wherever he's been asked to play, on the line or at tight end."

.Tom Eldridge -- A senior kick returner from Sun Prairie, Wis., Eldridge has a 3.20 gpa in Finance. He's returned 44 kicks for 955 career yards, with a 46-yarder this season. Roney says: "Tom is special. He'll do whatever he can for the team. Last year we went to Concordia and he was the only healthy running back, and he gave us enough for us to win. He works hard every day and never, ever complains."

.Brett Gjovik -- A senior cornerback and co-captain from New Richmond, Wis., Gjovik has a 3.10 gpa in Marketing. He has five career fumble recoveries, returning one for a TD, and was named honorable mention All-MIAC in 2000. He had 32 tackles with a team-high 10 pass break-ups in 2000. Roney says: "Brett has the perfect defensive mentality. You might run by him once, but he's going to get you the next time. He's one of the looser guys on the team, but he's assumed a leadership role as a co-captain."

.Nick Johnson -- A senior lineman from Bloomington, Johnson is a Social Studies major. He received the 2000 Jerry Pugsley Award for his team-oriented attitude, hustle and effort. Roney says: "Nick enjoys playing football. He's traveled for us because he can play every position on the line and also can snap and deep snap. He helps our scout offense a lot, and that takes a special person as a senior to do that."

.Brant Lagoon -- A senior PK from White Bear Lake, Lagoon is a Math major. He made 3-of-4 PAT kicks in 1999. Roney says: "Brant is a pretty talented athlete. He's our backup punter and is capable of kicking extra points and field goals, too. I think he's had a good time with football. He seems to enjoy coming to practice every day."

.Marcus Ludtke -- A senior running back from Albert Lea, Ludtke has a 3.72 gpa in Business. The co-captain had 407 rushing yards this season and one TD. On his career, which includes two seasons at Concordia-Moorhead, Ludtke finished with 1,930 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Roney says: "I really like Marcus. He's really put the team first. He hasn't had the same role this season with the emergence of Jake Barkley, but he's never pouted or shown disappointment. He's jumped in on the scout teams and helped us block a lot of punts in practice. He's been good for our program."

.Mike Leiss -- A senior defensive end from Minneapolis, Leiss is an Elementary Education major with a 3.20 gpa. Roney says: "Mike really improved his strength. He's helped us at defensive end, tackle and on special teams. He's student teaching this fall, so it's been an extra burden for him. He'll make a good teacher and a good role model."

.Ben Setterlund -- A senior tight end from Duluth, Setterlund is out for football for the first time this season. He has a 3.50 gpa in Finance and made the 2000 MIAC Academic Honor Roll. Roney says: "I wish Ben would have started sooner. He has some skills, but it's hard for a senior to step in and get the chance behind so many experienced players. He played junior-varsity football for us and helped us."

.Doug Von Bank. A Business major from New Prague, Von Bank has been the team's manager and film technician for four seasons, often working late into the evenings on Saturdays to help make tapes for the exchange. Roney says: Doug works so hard -- he does everything. He sets up for every practice, then films and keeps track of time in practice and he's working late making tapes. We will sorely miss him."

.Mike Westland -- A senior fullback major from Albert Lea, Westland is an Accounting major with a 3.74 gpa. He was named to the AFCA's Good Works Team for his leadership and community service. He finished with 105 receptions for 1,070 yards on his career, with seven touchdowns, and was chosen first-team All-MIAC. Roney says: "I'm glad Mike came back for his fifth season. He's able to do so many things -- he blocks well, he catches passes, he knows his assignments. He's like a coach on the field. The intensity he shows really is a great example for the younger players. He wants to win and wants to compete."