SAINT PETER, Minn. – Men’s and women’s track & field throwing specialists Michael Hensch (Sr., North Branch, Minn.) and Katie Keelin (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) have been selected as the Gustavus Adolphus College Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Month for May, presented by Thrivent Financial and voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department.
Michael Hensch
Track and Field
Hometown: North Branch, Minn.
High School: North Branch
Major: Exercise Physiology
Parents: Dennis and Barb Hensch
Hensch was one of the top field athletes in the country this season and put that on display in the month of May. Hensch’s dominant month started at the MIAC Championships where he won all four throwing events, becoming the first student-athlete in the 99-year history of the MIAC to win the grand slam of throws. He is believed to be the only collegiate athlete ever, on any level, to win all four throwing events at a conference championship. He also set the MIAC meet record in the hammer throw at 61.13 meters (200-7). At the NCAA Championships, Hensch set a school record in the hammer throw with a toss of 61.61 meters (202-1.75). During his successful senior campaign, Hensch was able to post top-20 marks in the nation in shot put, discus, and the hammer to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Shortly before the national meet, Hensch was named the Central Region Field Athlete of the Year. At the NCAA meet, the North Branch native went on to place third in the hammer, seventh in the shot put, and eighth in the discus to take home three All-America honors.
Katie Keelin
Track and Field
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
High School: Eagan
Major: Biology
Parents: Dawn and Jamie Keelin
Keelin finished her junior campaign on a strong note by making her first NCAA Championships appearance. She started the month with flair, finishing second in the hammer throw at the MSU Twilight, setting a personal best with a throw of 52.91 meters that was just four inches short of the school record. Keelin then continued her steady performance by taking first at the MIAC Championships in the hammer throw with a toss of 50.91 meters. Her throw at the MSU Twilight was also strong enough to qualify her for the NCAA Championships where she competed and finished 13th with a mark of 49.41 meters.