Regis University Ties with Point Loma Nazarene University in Men’s Soccer

James Ortiz, Staff Photographer

On Thursday, September 12th, 2024 Regis University went head to head with Point Loma Nazarene University in Men’s Soccer. With consistent work from both teams, the game ended with a tie and a final score of 1 to 1.

The sun is setting and the game is in full swing. Photo by James Ortiz

Regis held their own throughout the game, resulting in a tie. Photo by James Ortiz

Regis University’s goalie blocks a potential score by the other team. Photo by James Ortiz

Players face off as the game continues. Photo by James Ortiz 

Both sides fight to secure the ball. Photo by James Ortiz

Regis’ Lacrosse Coach Brings out Excellence in her Team

Women’s lacrosse coach Sarah Kellner //Frances Meng-Frecker-Frecker

By: Sarah Kate Dhom, Practicum Reporter

Sarah Kellner, who starts her 13 year coaching women’s lacrosse at Regis University, did not apply for the head coaching position, but her credentials and experience were unmatched. As head coach, Kellner has become one of the most successful coaches in the program’s history.  

Kellner arrived at Regis from New York, where she played at Cornell University four years. She was named Female Athlete of the Year and was selected for the All-American first team at Cornell. In 2013, Kellner was inducted into the Cornell Hall of Fame.  

The success that she had in college followed Kellner to Regis. While it did take a few years to grow the program, “traditions have to be worked on and are not given,” Kellner said.

Every team Kellner has coached has had a similar mindset: to get better every day. Kellner fosters greatness among her players with her philosophy of excellence developed through writing a mission statement at a coaching conference. 

Through the years, teams have adopted Kellner’s logic of excellence by building on the work of alumni players’. This has unified the teams of Regis women's lacrosse into a cohesive program. Kellner even receives messages from past alumni who follow the current team’s success, sharing how proud they are to be a part of that success.

Each season the lacrosse team votes on the “value words” that will guide their teamwork. Kellner has noticed themes of family, hard-work and excellence. These shared values, in turn, create a positive learning atmosphere for student athletes. Kellner has noticed that the teams that value family tend to be more successful. 

She likes to see how the sport brings her athletes together to support, push, and hold each other accountable while bringing out the best in each player. Being at Regis, Kellner is able to find and recruit top female athletes who have similar values of family, hard work, and excellence.  

As a Jesuit university, the Regis community has a unique way of looking at the world. Kellner loves the people that Regis attracts – the faculty, staff, and students – and appreciates its mission, which she aligns with Division II athletics. The aspect of the whole person exemplifies Kellner’s coaching style of bringing out the best in her student athletes on and off the field. The value of giving back to the community is emphasized in her coaching. Five years ago, Kellner adopted the Team Impact program into Regis lacrosse. Team Impact places a child with a terminal illness on a team for support. Kellner pioneered the program west of the Mississippi. She believed her lacrosse team would be perfect for this. 

“I thought we were going to be the gift to the family, but the gift became the family shared with the team,” she said.  

The last season was among Kellner’s best. She led the team to the program’s first Final Four appearance, which became the team’s “redemption tour.” Regis women’s lacrosse beat two of the three teams that had beaten them during the regular season. Regis even won over Lindenwood University in Missouri; the top-ranked team in the nation.

Regis lacrosse was the farthest team west of the Mississippi to ever make the Division II NCAA semifinals. For Kellner and the team, it was a great accomplishment. 

Kellner led her team to the Final Four by always pushing them to be the best on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. This allowed players to be the best versions of themselves so they could go and play like they had nothing to lose.

Before a game, Kellner reminds her players that their success is due in part to the accomplishments of their predecessors who helped build a strong legacy and that the team works as a family to put Regis lacrosse on the map.

“We are not the way we are because of who we were, but because of who we are every day,” Kellner said.

 Jada Bonner, a first All-American player who helped lead the lacrosse team to a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) championship and the Regional Championship in 2018, says Kellner provided amazing support during her college career and continues to be a supportive influence even after graduation. She described Kellner as “patient and sharing unconditional love for her players.” 

Bonner says she continues to ask herself, “What would Coach do?” or “How would she work through certain situations?” even now that she’s an alumna. 

“The Regis lacrosse program has been lucky to have such an accomplished and dedicated coach to lead them to their successes,” said Wendy Donier, a current player. “She is the main reason we have been so successful this season and during my past three seasons.” 

Kellner has many goals for keeping the program expanding and growing. She wants to bring in motivated athletes who can add high-level skills to help build the program, continue competing against the best teams in lacrosse, and remain competitive in the RMAC. 

Kellner frequently reminds the women’s lacrosse team that their “tradition of excellence is about being our best possible selves, not against other people, but against ourselves.” 

Kellner’s keen leadership skills led her to Regis, and her dedication to her players keeps her here. 

Mens Basketball Sweeps the Court

By: Amy Reglin, Staff Photographer

The Regis men’s basketball team continued their season with the home opener against Stanislaus State on November 17 in their home gym. The Rangers held of Stanislaus State for a 91-78 victory. This Saturday, December 1, the Regis Rangers basketball team matches up against Colorado Christian in Lakewood. On the 7 and 8 of December, they play at home against Metro State University and Chadron State College. Be sure to grab your Regis gear and hit the bleachers for a wildly entertaining time!

Regis Rangers Basketball update

(Photo: Emily Schneider)

By: Luke Cahill, Staff Reporter

Men’s Basketball

Sitting at 13-5, the men’s basketball team has certainly lived up to any expectations that fans had. With 10 games to go until the playoff start, the Rangers will look to build on their success. Sophomore Christian Little has been a key factor this season with an average of 15 points and 5 rebounds per game. Respectively, Dexter Sienko and Jarret Brodbeck are averaging 14.9 points per game. The Rangers have 5 remaining home games so come on out and support the team!

Highlights since Christmas:

Brodbeck hits 1,000 point mark (w/ 35 in one game!)
Mcgee and Sienko awarded RMAC player of the week
3-3 overall record

Women’s Basketball

The Rangers got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but have won 4 of their last 5 games! The girls' conference record sits at 8-4 which puts them into a good position as we get closer to playoff time. Mary Sigler and Majestie Robinson have led the way averaging 13 points per game. Shelby Espinosa has been a key factor for the Rangers on defense with an average of 9 rebounds per game. The Rangers are, without a doubt, playing very well right now and their momentum could carry them deep into the postseason. The Rangers have three remaining home games so come on out and cheer them on!

Three remaining home games:

2/9 5 P.M vs UC Colorado Springs
2/10 5 P.M vs Metro
2/17 5 P.M vs Westminster (Utah)

Regis Ranger Athletics update

(Photo: Kate Scott)

By: Luke Cahill, Staff Reporter

Men's Basketball
Post-thanksgiving, the win streak is still intact for the men’s basketball team. Morale is high after winning the first five games of the season.The team received ten votes in the latest NCAA rankings. This is, without a doubt, one of the better basketball teams that Regis has seen in a long time. Look for this team to be ranked in the coming weeks! Off to a hot start, Jarret Brodbeck is leading the way with 16.4 ppg. The team will be playing their next three games in Denver but will be on the road for quite some time after that. Make sure to catch a game or two before the boys look to continue their success on the road!

Women’s Basketball
The ladies are off to a slow start at 1-4, but there are many games to come. On a positive note, Majestie Robinson has had a remarkable start to the year averaging 14.2 ppg with an average of 30 minutes on the floor per game. Her success will be critical as the Ranger will look for their second win against Colorado Christian on December 2 in the fieldhouse. If you can’t make that game, the ladies will be playing on the 3rd in the fieldhouse as well.

Women’s Volleyball
This year Regis Volleyball team has been hugely successful. The team finished off 28-3 which locked them into the one seed for the national tournament. On top of earning the first seed, the Rangers were the regular season champions and also RMAC champs for the first time since 1998. The girls are currently on a ten game win streak and did not even give up a set throughout the RMAC tournament. Come on out and support the team as they look to continue their season in the national tournament. The first and second round games will be held in the Regis Fieldhouse.