ST. PETER, Minn. – Men’s track and field hurdler and jumper Taylor Rooney (Fy., Andover, Minn.) and women’s hockey forward Kaitlyn Klein (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) have been selected as the Gustavus Adolphus College January Male and Female Student-Athletes-of-the-Month, presented by Thrivent Financial and voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department.
Taylor Rooney
Men’s Track & Field
Hometown: Andover, Minn.
High School: Andover
Major: Undeclared
Parent: Thomas Rooney
Rooney, a first-year member of the Gustavus men’s track & field squad, excelled in each of his first three collegiate meets, competing in the 60-meter hurdles and the high jump for the Black and Gold. Rooney made quite a first impression in his collegiate debut, winning the 60-meter hurdles and tying for third in the high jump at “The Opener” on the campus of the University of St. Thomas Jan. 12. Rooney’s 60-meter hurdle time of 8.36 was two-tenths of a second faster than any MIAC competitor all of last season. For his performance, he earned MIAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week honors.
At the Vanessa Seljeskog Classic on the campus of Macalester College the following week, Rooney followed up his collegiate debut performance by winning the 60-meter hurdles at 8.37 and the high jump with a leap of 6-5.5. His high jump tied a school record set by Jared Hokenson in 2006. Rooney then matched his 60-meter hurdle time at St. Thomas of 8.36 for the top time at the St. Olaf College Quadrangular on Jan. 26. Rooney’s top 60m hurdle time (8.36) ranks first in the conference and 20th in Division III.
Kaitlyn Klein
Women’s Hockey
Hometown: Plymouth, Minn.
High School: Wayzata
Major: Biology
Parents: Joseph and Dana Klein
During the month of January, Klein paced the Gustie offense, compiling eight goals in nine games as Gustavus turned in a 5-1-3 record. With 13 total points (9g-5a), Klein recorded points in all but three games during the month while setting several career-high marks.
During a 5-4 setback at the University of St. Thomas Jan. 13, Klein notched her first career hat-trick performance and followed that up with a four-point game (1g-3a) during a 5-3 victory versus the University of Wisconsin-Superior a few days later at Don Roberts Ice Rink. Klein’s team-leading 19 goals on the season ranks second in the conference and ranks within the top-10 nationally.