ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Catherine University athletic department selected the Fleur-De-Lis award recipients for the weeks of October 24 through November 6 with student-athletes being recognized for athleticism, service, and leadership.
Introduced in the fall of 2017, the Fleur-de-lis award is an honor given to student-athletes who embody the three components of the Wildcat athletic department; sport, scholarship, and service. The fleur-de-lis is a visual representation of the athletic department's mission. The three petals of the fleur-de-lis represent the tenants of our mission: Scholarship, Athleticism, and Service. The band holding the three pedals together represents leadership and perseverance. Excellence in any of these areas is recognized by the department through this award.
The Fleur-de-lis award honors Wildcat student-athletes who have exemplified the department's mission on the field, the classroom, and through community service. The fleur-de-lis, or "flower of the lily" in English, is a symbol used by the University and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and is proudly incorporated into the St. Catherine shield as a representation of the Sister's French heritage and the seed from which their good works grow.
Julia Azure | Sr., Softball | Scholarship
Lino Lakes, Minn. / Centennial
Senior Julia Azure was invited to speak at the 2022 Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference in Fort Worth, Texas where she presented on The Development of Psychological Skills Training Program for Future Health Care Professionals. The presentation aims to share a deliberate process to develop a psychological skills training program for health science students. Providing PST programs to this population may serve as an ideal internship environment for students interested in working with non-sport performers. The presentation included lessons learned from an in-depth literature review and guidance on how to effectively engage stakeholders in the development of the program
Abby Pirkl | Jr., Hockey | Athletics
New Prague, Minn.
Junior Abby Pirkl opened the 2022-23 season with a three-point game adding one goal and two assists in the team's 11-0 defeat of Finlandia. In game two of the series, Pirkl added three more points with three assists. In total, Pirkl finished the weekend with six points to lead the MIAC after week one.
Marie Reimer | Sr., Hockey | Athletics
Rogers, Minn.
Senior alternate captain, Marie Reimer recorded her second career hat trick in the Wildcats' Friday game against Lawrence University. Reimer's three-goal game included a power play goal leading the team to a 6-0 victory.
Elsa Joly | Sr., Tennis | Scholarship
Aubagne, France / Lycée Lacordaire
Senior tennis student-athlete, Elsa Joly was one of four St. Kate's students selected to participate in the Innovations Scholars Program. This group works together to evaluate innovation for a medical startup company and work on the commercialization of the product. At the end of their research, her group will present recommendations and findings to the Innovation Scholars Team, the company contact, and other school teams in this program.
Jordyn Wentzel | Fifth-year, Swimming | Athletics
Corcoran, Minn. / Delano
Fifth-year Jordyn Wentzel scored 73 points for the Wildcats at the prestigious Division III Shootout facing seven of the top 25 teams in the country. Wentzel's time in the 200-yard breaststroke ranks first in Division III this season and earned her an NCAA B standard along with being a 2022 selection time. Her 200-yard IM time is also the top time in the NCAA along with being an NCAA B standard and 2022 selection time. In her other two individual events, Wentzel finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke and third overall in the 200-yard freestyle, both of which were NCAA B standards and 2022 selection times.
Soccer | Athletics
St. Catherine soccer earns a team Fleur-de-lis Award following their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoff Championship title. The Wildcats were the No. 3 seed in the 2022 championship run defeating No. 6 Macalester 3-0 before taking on the No. 2 seeded College of Saint Benedict Bennies. In the semifinal game, St. Kate's advanced following an intense shootout led by the junior goalkeeper, Kate Praetz. After the win, St. Kate's faced the No. 1 seed Carleton College Knights on the road edging out the top MIAC team by a score of 1-0 in double overtime.
Kate Praetz | Jr., Soccer | Athletics
Bolingbrook, Ill.
Junior goalkeeper, Kate Praetz led St. Catherine to their second-straight MIAC Playoff title making 22 saves and allowing just two goals in three games including two double-overtime contests. For her performance in the MIAC Championships, Praetz was named MIAC Playoff Most Valuable Player. The game against Carleton was Praetz's 19th career shutout, tying her for the program record with Danielle Mendez '17.
Mallory Johnson | Jr., Soccer | Athletics
Farmington, Minn.
Junior defender, Mallory Johnson was a dominant force in the Wildcats' playoff run holding the team's back line to assist Praetz in the team's wins. Johnson played every minute of the playoff contests appearing on the field for 310 minutes.
