Hometown Heroes

Magner flying high at Bowling Green

Former Colony standout Cole Magner has taken his athletic skills to the next level. The 2000 graduate of Colony High School is in his second season with Bowling Green State University (OH) football squad. Magner has started the first five seasons at wide receiver and has seen time at quarterback as well.

The 6-2, 180 lb. flanker has nine catches for 193 yards and a touchdown this season. Magner also is 2-2 with a pair of touchdown passes, throwing both scores in a win over Missouri.

Magner and the Falcons are 5-0 this season, and have recently risen to 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Bowling Green will host Western Michigan on Oct. 19.

Football:

Travis Webb (Wasilla 2002) is in his first season with St. Peters College (NJ) … James Watts (Wasilla 2001) is a red-shirt freshman running back for Western Oregon … Matt Gillete (Wasilla 2001) and Jon Fillman (Colony 2001) are sophomore defensive lineman for the University of Minnesota Crookston … Aaron Kowalczk (Colony 2000) is competing in his junior season with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Kowalczk is a part-time starter at free safety and picked off a pass in USCGA's first game of the season.

Basketball:

Zac Forsythe (Palmer 2002) is entering his first season with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Forsythe and the Nanooks participated in Midnight Madness, Oct. 11, to celebrate the first official practice day for NCAA basketball … Jessica Moore (Colony 2001) enters her second season with the University of Connecticut. Moore and the Huskies will look to defend their 2001-02 NCAA National Championship … Nicky Bean (Colony 1999) enters her first season with Alaska Anchorage after transferring from Spring Hill College (AL). Bean also spent two years with Marshalltown College (IA). Bean is a senior guard … Melissa McNulty (Susitna Valley 2002) enters her first season with Alaska Fairbanks.

Hockey:

Shane Saum (Palmer) is competing in his third season with Air Force. Saum has 22 goals and 22 assists during his career with the Division I program … Kerry Weiland (Palmer 1999) is entering her senior season with Wisconsin. Weiland was an All-American and assistant captain for the Badgers last season.

Cross-country:

John Heimerl (Colony 1999) is in his senior year with Alaska Fairbanks … Diana Heimerl (Colony 2001) is in her sophomore season with the Nanooks … Renae Moore (Susitna Valley 2002) is in her first season with Alaska Fairbanks … Eric Strabel (Colony 2000) is competing in his junior season with Alaska Anchorage … Ivan Steadman (Susitna Valley 2002) is in his first season with the Seawolves … Nicole Hanson (Susitna Valley 2000) is a sophomore with Alaska Anchorage and Sarah Hanson (Susitna Valley 2001) is a sophomore with the Seawolves … Patrick Egelus (Palmer 2000) is in his junior season with Eastern Oregon … Antonia Gatto (Colony 1999) is in her first year with the Pacific Lutheran running team.

Volleyball:

Leisa Rosen (Wasilla) is in her fourth season as an assistant coach with the Michigan Wolverines

Swimming:

Dirk Craft II (Palmer 2000) is in his second season with South Dakota. Last season Craft was named the USD Team MVP.

If you have any information about a former Valley student-athlete competing on the collegiate or professional level let us know.

Call us at 352-2273 or e-mail at sports@frontiersman.com.