SAINT PETER, Minn. – Women’s hockey goaltender Amanda DiNella (Sr., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.) and men’s swimmer Tanner Sonnek (Sr., North Mankato, Minn.) have been named Gustavus November Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Month, which is voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department and presented by Thrivent Financial.
Amanda DiNella
Women’s Hockey
Hometown: Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
Major: Exercise Physiology
Parents: Anthony and Pam DiNella of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.
DiNella backstopped the Gusties to a 5-1-1 record in the month of November, all while breaking a school record and twice being named to the D3hockey.com Team of the Week and MIAC Athlete of the Week. In seven games throughout the month, DiNella posted a 1.15 goals against average and a .953 save percentage, allowing eight goals with 162 saves. In a rematch of last season’s NCAA tournament game against UW-Eau Claire, DiNella made 51 saves, marking just the second time in her career she surpassed 50 saves in a game. On Nov. 17, DiNella set the program’s all-time saves record, previously held by Danielle Justice (2008-12) with 1,316 career saves.
Tanner Sonnek
Men’s Swimming
Hometown: North Mankato, Minn.
Major: Political Science
Parents: Troy and Julie Sonnek of North Mankato, Minn.
Sonnek had an impressive month of November, winning 11 of 12 individual races in four different meets. Sonnek’s strengths clearly lie in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes as he went undefeated in eight races. His most impressive showing was at the Grinnell Pioneer Classic where he won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 55.83, which was more than five seconds faster than the next competitor, and won the 200 breaststroke as well with a time of 2:05.32, which was more than 11 seconds faster than second place. His 100 breaststroke time of 55.83 ranks 10th in Division III. Including individual and relay races, Sonnek competed in 20 events with 15 first place finishes.