BV Lynx: Where Are They Now?

Former Brandon Valley Lynx Allie Koehn makes a difference on and off the court for the Augustana University Vikings.

Koehn is in her senior – and final – season playing basketball for the Vikings. I remember a lot about Allie when she wore the red and black for BV. My first memory was those three magical days at Frost Arena in Brookings as the Lynx claimed their first State AA Girls Basketball crown. Allie was our “super sophomore” and contributed heavily to bring home the big trophy. 

The former Lady Lynx was a three-sport athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She was a three-year starter and letter-winner for the Lynx in basketball and team captain her junior and senior seasons and nominated for South Dakota Miss Basketball following her senior season. She was named all-conference that year in volleyball and was the AA state champion in discus as a senior. Koehn also garnered a nomination as a Fellowship of Christian Athlete honor athlete.    

“Nobody out-worked Allie Koehn,” stated BV girls’ basketball coach Mark Stadem. “Allie was one of those players you never had to get on about working hard. She brought great effort and enthusiasm every day. She was a huge part of our run to the state title in 2011 as a sophomore and showed great leadership the next two years. Great player and great person.”

Augustana head coach Dave Krauth said, “Allie has been a huge contributor to our university and to our basketball team during her time at Augie. She is so active and always looking for another good cause to support. She is a key player for us, one of our first off the bench, and she accepts her role and does anything needed to make our team better. Allie is so congenial and conversational and loves to visit with recruits that we have on campus. I have no doubt that Allie is going to continue to be a difference-maker after graduation. She wants to make our world a better place and not be a bystander. I’m so fortunate to have shared in her college experience. She’ll be missed greatly, but our loss will be a big gain for many others.”

Winter Roster 

Bowling: Richard Blue V, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

Wrestling: Adam Presler, Concordia University, Moorhead, Minn.

Basketball: Drew Jurgens, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell 

Basketball: Allie Koehn, Augustan University, Sioux Falls 

Indoor Track: Jakob Hanna, North Dakota state University, Fargo

Allie and her Vikings teammates are off to a fast start this season.  They are heading into the Christmas break and have an unblemished record of 9-0. I asked Allie the following questions: 

What is your favorite memory as a Lynx student-athlete? 

I felt a deep sense of pride and belonging being a Lynx student-athlete during my time in high school. As for my favorite memories as a student-athlete, I enjoyed conversing and bonding with teachers, classmates, and the school district faculty off the court, because they knew of my involvement in several sports at Brandon Valley.  As a player, there are too many favorite memories to count. Our 2010-2011 basketball season – which ended with a state championship – is one that I will always remember fondly.  However, I smile every time I think about how many times I almost got hit by a discus or shot put at practice with Coach Trout. For some reason, the brutal “Grode Box-out Drill” with Coach Grode has remained my favorite basketball drill of all time. And I will never forget the pranks and games we played on volleyball road trips. 

What are the main differences between playing at the high school and college levels?

On the court, the game is a lot faster. Each player, opponents and your own teammates, has incredible talent. Everyday involves hard work to earn your position. At Augustana, we have a winning tradition and all the members on the team have the talent to be a starter in our league.  In order to have a successful career while enjoying the process, it is important to be dedicated, remember your role, and remind yourself of the reasons why you love the game. 

How has your experience been as a student-athlete for the Vikings?  

Being a student-athlete at Augustana has been one of the hardest things I have done in my life. I am extremely proud to be an Augustana Viking. My professors have challenged me in ways that I never imagined and I have grown immensely as a person and a student. Furthermore, I love being a part of Viking athletics. Once again, the people, the culture, and the traditions have made all the difference. 

As most of you know, the Brandon Valley School District this year has a new initiative promoting positive character traits in our students within every building in the school district. The five traits that make up the Lynx Way are respectful, kind, responsible, safe and being a active learner.  I know that if you looked in a dictionary for the name Allie Koehn, you probably would not find her. But if you did, these five traits would show up somewhere in her definition. As Coach Stadem stated, Allie is a great player and a great person. Coach Krauth said Allie is a difference-maker, and he feels fortunate to have shared in her college experience.  

Thank you, Allie, for representing the red and black and Lynx Nation with your commitment to being the very best. 

I am heading to the Sioux Fall Arena on January 6 as the Vikings take on Concorida-St. Paul in a basketball double-header. The women’s game starts at 4 p.m. I hope you join me in wearing red and black and supporting Allie Koehn. 

 

 

BV Lynx: Where are they now? is sponsored by George Boom Funeral Home.