BV Lynx: Where Are They Now?

Limmer plays key role in rise of Red Raiders' soccer program

 

When talking with head soccer coach Dan Swier of the Northwestern Red Raiders, it is quite apparent that Tyler Limmer has been a key component in the revival of the school’s soccer program. Tyler just completed his junior year for the Red Raiders, which is located in Orange City, Iowa, and a member of the GPAC (NAIA) conference. The team wrapped up their 2017 season with a heart-breaking post-season semifinal loss to Concordia of Nebraska. Tyler led the Red Raiders this season with 15 goals and five assists, and needs just 10 goals in his senior year to become the all-time leading goal scorer in the program’s history. He also could become the leading assist man in Northwestern history in 2018.

Tyler has been voted as the offensive player in every year that he’s played at Northwestern, and is an easy pick for 1st team All-Conference this year as he was a year ago.

Coach Swier told me that “Tyler has worked extremely hard to be the player he is today. He spends hours and hours playing the game. He feasts on teams with weak defenders but also scores big goals in big matches against top competition. He is relentless on the soccer field. He is a tough and physical and fast and athletic. More importantly, our team has gotten some solid results during his time in the program. This year we finished second in the conference for the first time since 2004. We have the main core of our team back next year and we are poised to take another step toward becoming a nationally ranked team. It has been a pleasure to coach him and I’m excited for one more season with him on the team.”  

Tyler was very grateful - and quick - to respond to my questions:

What was your favorite memory as a Lynx student athlete? My favorite memory as a Lynx student-athlete would be winning a soccer playoff game to take us to state when I was a junior. We played Brookings at home in front of the largest crowd I have ever seen at a BVHS soccer game and we came away with a 4-3 win and I scored a hat-trick in the game! That year was the only year our soccer team made it to state, so that memory will always be special for me.

How the demands of an athlete are different from the high school level to the college level? The demands of a college athlete are quite a bit different than that of a high school athlete. This is because you have to dedicate so much time to your team and the sport itself. We have practice every weekday, lifting twice a week, team film twice a week, plus some players do even more to earn their spot in the starting lineup. The demands are also greater in the classroom because your professors won’t tell you what you need to do when you miss class for sports, you just need to know.

What are the main differences from playing at the high school level to the college level? The main difference I have noticed between college level athletes and high school level athletes is the dedication. Most players can skate by in high school with not being that dedicated, but in college, those players who aren’t as dedicated will fall behind the others very fast. Every player I have played with in college has had the same dedication and love for the game as me. With this, the practices are more intense and competitive, and the games exemplify the level of talent and hard-work each player has.

Would it be correct to say that in college your sport becomes your life? I would say that in college, your sport can become your life, but only if you want it to. I love soccer so I am majoring in sports management and business so I can do something in the soccer world after college. I make soccer my life through practicing each day, watching film of my team and teams we play, watching the pros, and much more. There is still plenty of free time so I would say you can make your sport your life, or you can just have it be a major part of your life, but I prefer having soccer as big of a part of my life as possible!

As a Brandon Valley Lynx, Tyler played soccer also was on the football team. On the gridiron, he was a kicker for the Lynx. You might be thinking that soccer and football are both played in the fall. You are correct, as Tyler was “grandfathered in” when soccer became a state-sanctioned sport and was able to play two varsity sports in the same season. As a Lynx, he was First Team All-State in soccer, BV’s most valuable player, and was a member of the Elite 11 in high school soccer. Lynx fans, congratulate Tyler on a great year, and we look forward to Tyler’s 2018 season and if the Red Raiders can climb to the top of the GPAC conference and beyond.