MSC Sports, 1990-99

by Larry Scott

Volleyball fortunes at MSU began to seriously spike up after Becky Schulze arrived as head coach in 1991. She prodded the Dragons to 25-13, 36-11, 23-12 and 39-12 finishes, including a pair of trips to the NAIA National Championships in 1992 and 1994.

Amy Gernand (Moorhead), a talented transfer from North Dakota State, became a fixture on the Dragon frontline. Michelle Larson (Crookston) and sisters Carrie and Emily Hegg (McIntosh) played prominent roles in the Dragons’ championship run as well. Tammy Blake replaced Schulze in 1995, and faced the additional hurdle of shepherding the move from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.

Advancing to post-season play in NCAA II became an afterthought for several years until the 2000 Dragons returned to the NSIC summit and qualified for regional play with an eye-popping 28-3 regular season finish. A four-year starter at setter, Jessie Bruns (White Bear Lake) was the catalyst and was named the Most Valuable Player in the NSIC. More honors poured in, and Bruns was joined on the All-NSIC first team by Jill Dixon (Buffalo) and Amy Weinzierl (Bottineau, ND).

“We had no idea we would do that well, but when we won our first nine matches, and went five games with North Dakota State in our 10^th game we realized we had something special,” said Blake. “We were balanced, we had a great setter in (Jessie) Bruns, and we played we together. We were confident, and we didn’t make a lot of mistakes.”

“We had a lot of pressure all years, and our seniors kept us together. We were just one mistake away from losing the conference and missing the playoffs, but we were a very mature team, and that helped a great deal.”

Soccer became an official varsity sport at Moorhead State in 1995, and by year two coach Rollie Bullock had guided the Dragons to a surprising 12-4 finish that included the NSIC title. Tracy Sibell (Rapid City, SD) scored a whopping 37 goals in 1995-96 and became the Dragons’ first soccer All-American. Shauna Derosier (Iowa) and Sarah Carlson (Bloomington) were early standouts as well.

The basketball Dragons had their moments in the 1990s, earning a trip to the NAIA District playoffs from 1991-95. Farstveet was named a Kodak All-American in 1993 while center Kristie Stangl (Manning, IA) sprouted as a SUCCESSFUL FARMING All-American as a senior in 1999.

The coaching carousel that Ulferts jumped off in 1994 stopped to let Jean Roise on as head coach. After six seasons Roise resigned, and assistant Karla Nelson was promoted to the top post in 2000.  Sparked by forward Katie Doerr (Henderson), the Dragons began to close the gap in the NSIC arms race.

The good times continued for the softball Dragons in the early 90s, including two more trips to the NAIA National Championships. The pitching torch was tossed from Susan Lasch to Jen Bagley (Hoyt Lakes), and Bagley helped the Dragons secure three straight NAIA District 13 championships. Becky Schulze added softball coaching duties to her portfolio for two seasons, but resigned after a 23-16 finish in 1995, the Dragons’ last winning season until a 21-19 mark under coach Karla Nelson in 1999.

Moorhead State continued its quest to expand athletic opportunities for female student-athletes by establishing swimming as a varsity sport in 1997, and Todd Peters began patiently to build a quality program. Gary Harris continued to serve as tennis coach while Tracie Bents, a letterwinner at State, was appointed women’s golf coach in 1999.

The Dragons remained as a significant landmark on the conference and national track and cross-country scene as well. Gina Hann and Michele Dewerff (Fargo, ND) claimed the top two spots at the 1991 NSC Cross-Country Championships and helped the Dragons blaze to the team title with a near perfect 1-2-3-4-6 finish. The Dragons failed to win another conference title during the rest of the decade, although Jessica Faith (St. Cloud) captured individual championships in 1995 and 1996.

The Dragons’ stranglehold on NSC Indoor and Outdoor track brethren began to loosen in the early 1990s, and Smith resigned after the 1992 season. Reclaiming the top rung in the NSIC was too tall an order for new coach Joe Fisher, but the Dragons were not without some individual stars, including middle distance specialist Michelle Berger (Fergus Falls), hurdler Tanya Wilde (Moorhead) and pole vaulter Aaron Clark (Moorhead). Keith Barnier was installed as head track coach in 2002 and quickly developed four All-Americans, including NCAA II National Indoor weight throw champion Belinda Eastlack in 2004.

MSU Moorhead charged into a new century anxious to chase some lofty individual and team challenges and create some lasting memories. Still, the playing field was less than level and finding real success in the expanded 10-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and achieving notoriety under the umbrella of the rugged NCAA Division II was a daunting task, indeed. But there were reasons for optimism. A seven-million dollar facelift to Alex Nemzek Hall restored the home of the Dragons to a first-rate facility and enhanced recruiting opportunities. The renovation of Ron Masanz Track at Alex Nemzek Stadium restored a regional showcase for men and women’s track. In addition, an expanded staff that included more coaching and support staff, including a fulltime fund-raiser and promotions position, assistant athletic director, and additional athletic training help, sent a clear signal that the Dragons were serious. Dr. Alfonso Scandrett, Jr. assumed the position of Athletic Director at MSU Moorhead in 2004.

Indeed, there was ample reason for hope that MSU Moorhead was well positioned to maintain its status as a serious player in the business of intercollegiate athletics.