Stream:
the Epitomie of Student-Athlete
Sophomore Guard Owns a 4.0 GPA in Exercise Science and Biology
One of the most prized basketball recruits from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula three years ago, Sarah Stream is living up to the hype. The Huskies point guard was the team’s leading scorer (14.1 per game), and was named to the All-GLIAC First Team.
As good as Stream has been on the court, she’s been even better in the classroom, giving credence to the term student-athlete. The third-year student from Ishpeming possesses a 4.0 cumulative grade point average with dual majors in exercise science (a new program at Tech in 2006-07) and biology.
Her philosophy is simple: “I always try my hardest at everything I do.”
With more than a handful of schools eager to see her in their team’s colors, the decision to come to Michigan Tech was a tough one.
“I had to weigh a lot of factors. I chose Tech because of the academics, the opportunity to make an impact playing basketball right away, and the proximity to home so my family could come watch me play.”
Once on the Tech campus, she made an immediate impact. She earned GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors and helped the Huskies to a 21-8 record and an NCAA Tournament berth, their first in four years.
The following autumn, Stream suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the year.
“I was devastated when I found out I was finished playing basketball for the year,” she said. “Probably the most difficult part was mental, having to watch from the sidelines and wanting to be back on the floor.”
Because the injury was so early in the season, Stream was fortunate to be able to get a medical hardship waiver and save the year of eligibility. She had nearly an entire year to rehabilitate her knee and prepare for her sophomore season, but it has been a slow process of returning to 100 percent.
“I still have a little ways to go,” said Stream. “My quickness isn’t quite there yet, but it keeps improving.
Balancing academics and athletics may be the biggest challenge for Stream—especially with long bus trips in the geographically diverse GLIAC (schools in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania). She credits professors who are understanding and an academics-first atmosphere within the athletic department.
“Missing class makes it difficult at times, but the profs work with us and there is a good support system in place.
When asked if she can keep a 4.0 GPA through graduation, she smiles and says, “I’ve gotten this far. I guess I have to try to keep it going now.”
With her exercise science major and firsthand experience in rehab (with her knee injury), Stream is leaning towards graduate school and a future in physical therapy.
So where does the consummate student-athlete see herself in the future? The answer is the same one she gives when asked about the basketball season.
“I’m going to take it one game at a time.”
Radayl Richardson finished twelfth all-time in scoring at Tech with 1,345 career points. He was a two-time All-GLIAC First Team selection.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Michigan Tech made its way through what was likely the most difficult schedule in school history with a 13–15 record in 2006–07. A tenth straight trip to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and a win over NCAA Division I Jacksonville State highlighted the year. Senior Radayl Richardson (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin DePorres) earned his second-straight selection to the All-GLIAC North Division First Team and third consecutive selection to the GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team. The 6-3 guard paced the Huskies in points with an average of 15.6 per game. As a team, Tech ranked among the nation’s top ten in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.
Katie Wysocky was the second Tech player in three years to earn GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors (Sarah Stream was the other). Wysocky averaged 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Despite a 19–9 record and a trip to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinal, Michigan Tech just missed out on its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The youthful Huskies won eight of their last ten games but did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Regional. Tech was led by sophomore guard Sarah Stream (see facing page). Four freshmen saw considerable action for Tech, including 6-0 forward Katie Wysocky (Whitefish Bay, Wis.), who was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year. The squad’s lone senior, Jenna Bartels (La Crosse, Wis./Logan), finished her career as Tech’s all-time leading three-point shooter with 142.
Hockey
Sophomore goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak was a key ingredient in a resurgent hockey program. He was the first Huskies goalie since Cam Ellsworth (2004–05) to earn All-WCHA honors.
The Michigan Tech hockey team enjoyed a breakout 2006–07 season under fourth-year head coach Jamie Russell, who was recognized as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association co-Coach of the Year. The Huskies finished 18–17–5 and in sixth-place in the WCHA standings, marking their best conference showing since 1992–93. Russell led his troops past Colorado College in the opening round of the WCHA Playoffs which solidified Tech’s first appearance at the WCHA Final Five since 1996. With 18 wins, the Huskies recorded their highest win total since 1995–96, and were just two victories shy of their best mark since 1987–88.
Tech ranked among the nation’s top five in shots allowed, penalty killing, and scoring defense. The Huskies broke a program record by compiling five shutouts this season, besting a mark set back in 1974–75. Michigan Tech built a 16–10–3 record against teams in the top twenty, and compiled a 10–5–3 mark in its last eighteen games.
Individually, sophomore goaltender Michael-Lee Teslak (Fernie, B.C.) garnered All-WCHA Third Team accolades after an 11–8–3 overall record, including an 8–3–2 mark in his last thirteen contests. He tied Jim Warden (1974–75) for first all-time among Huskies goaltenders for shutouts in a season after notching four in 2006–07. Teslak led the WCHA in goals against average.
Three seniors played their final seasons: Lars Helminen (Brighton, Mich.), Tyler Skworchinski (Marathon, Ontario), and Mike Batovanja (Hinton, Alberta). Helminen finished tenth all-time among defensemen in scoring at Michigan Tech with 82 career points and was signed by the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League.