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Senior Student Athlete Profile: Summer Gerhardt (Alexandria)

By Craig Olson, 05/15/20, 2:30PM CDT

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Going to the Minnesota State High School Girls Basketball Tournament twice during her sports career at Alexandria stands out as the number one sports memory for senior Summer Gerhardt.  That being said, Gerhardt made many memories as a three-sport athlete for the Cardinals, competing in soccer and track and field in addition to girls’ basketball.

“Summer is a three sport athlete and an excellent student as well,” said Head Girls Basketball coach Wendy Kohler.  “Summer brought physicality to our team this season and was a very strong leader in practice and games.  She brought the intensity every day and was voted by her teammates as the hardest worker.  She is an intense competitor that could hit the three and has great footwork in the paint.” 

“Being involved in sports has made me a more motivated and confident individual,” said Gerhardt.  “Sports have also given me friends and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Alexandria Track and Field Coach Meghan Orgeman said, “Summer is a passionate student-athlete who is going to light the world on fire through her unyielding work ethic, determination, bright mind, and strongly beating heart. She fights for what she believes in, never settles, and pushes others around her to be at their best. Our track and field program will feel the impact she had on our culture for years to come!”

Ty Granning, her event coach in track and field shared the following, “My thoughts on Summer are...her work ethic and ability to always see the positive.  She has been stuck behind a pretty good group of girl throwers at this school since her freshman year and really has never had the opportunity to be in the top 3 to throw at the Conference or Section meets.  When in reality she probably would have placed in the shot put at conference/sections and would have been top 5 in discus not only at sections but possibly state.  An average person would either quit or look for other opportunities.  Not Summer...she just worked harder every day and was often one of the people we had to kick out of the ring before she threw her shoulder out.  In the face of all that, she was a great teammate who was happy for the people who were ahead of her in our program and a mentor to the throwers who needed her help (my own daughter included).  Unfortunately, this was going to be her year to step-out at sections and conference but I know that she has a lot of great opportunities to throw beyond our program and she definitely deserves it.”

Her favorite school subjects were Physics, Biology and Human Anatomy.  With that interest she has decided to attend the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities at the College of Biological Sciences.  She will be majoring in Biophysics and Genetics.

Summer first came out for soccer in 10th grade,” recalled Soccer Coach Tom Roos.  “By the time her senior year came around she was often times starting in varsity games - a tribute to her athleticism, and her great attitude and effort at every practice. Brought a lot of joy and positive energy to team.”

“I have been dealing with not being able to compete by staying active and trying to stick to a routine,” added Gerhardt.  “I have also been watching lots of game reruns on TV.”

Her advice to underclassmen is to, “Live in the moment and seize every opportunity possible.”