Column: It will be easy for Wolves to say goodbye to Bemidji two-sport star

If you are a fan of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference athletics, it is hard not to be a fan of Bemidji State senior Lance Rongstad.

 The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Eleva, Wis., is a two-sport athlete and a biology major with a 3.6 graduate point average. In the last four years, his name has been a fixture on NSIC lists of athletic and academic awards.

 After the Northern State men’s basketball team squeaked by Bemidji 58-55 Saturday night in Minnesota, coach Paul Sather had a lot of positive things to say about Rongstad in the radio post-game show hosted by the veteran voice of the Wolves, Gene Reich (94.1 FM, The Rock).

 “Rongstad is a lot to deal with,” said Sather, who loves Rongstad’s competitiveness, toughness and attitude. “He is a butt-kicker. I think any football or basketball coach in our league would write him a letter of recommendation. He is a tough kid, and one of those kids opposing coaches are glad to see graduate so we don't have to deal with him anymore.”

 Here is Rongstad vs. the Wolves during his career:

BASKETBALL

Jan. 26, 2013: NSU defeated BSU 58-55. Rongstad had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot.

Jan. 4, 2013: NSU 64-61. Rongstad: 7-2-2-0-0.

Jan. 28, 2012: NSU 70-55. Rongstad: 9-2-0-0-0.

Dec. 16, 2011: BSU 88-59. Rongstad: 11-6-1-1-1.

Jan. 29, 2011: NSU 84-82. Rongstad: 22-5-0-2-1.

Dec. 17, 2010: BSU 92-86. Rongstad: 14-5-1-0-0.

Jan. 15, 2010: NSU 67-65. Rongstad: 13-3-3-2-1.

FOOTBALL

Oct. 13, 2012: BSU 23-6. Rongstad: 182 yards passing with 2 touchdowns, 28 yards rushing.

Oct. 29, 2011: NSU 14-0. Rongstad: 71 passing, 12 rushing, 1 tackle.

Oct. 30, 2010: BSU 41-13. Rongstad played the first seven games, but missed the rest of the games including the one against NSU with a season-ending injury.

Sept. 26, 2009: BSU 42-20. Rongstad: 88 passing, 69 rushing.

 

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