Crookston High School’s Reese Swanson signed a National Letter of Intent on Friday, March 22, to play hockey at St. Olaf College next year while pursuing a degree in Sports Psychology.
Swanson, the daughter of Jeremie and Kristy Swanson, was a four-year varsity player who recorded over 100 career points as a defenseman for the Pirates. She was named to the Class A All-State Honorable Mention team as a junior and senior. She was named to the Section 8 Girls Hockey first team in her junior and senior seasons and All-Section 8A second team in her sophomore year.
Swanson also received several team awards, including Most Valuable Offensive and Most Valuable Defensive Player honors. Crookston was Section 8A Girls Hockey runners-up the last three years with losses to eventual State Champ Warroad all three seasons.
“St. Olaf is kind of like a home to me. I had visited there twice. Once with the coaches and once with the team, they were so welcoming and supportive, and it felt like home,” said Swanson. “I have played two of the girls going there, and I would say the coaches have the mindset I love. They want to win and will do anything to win, but they also care about their athletes, and the facilities are nice.”
Swanson said the Section 8A Girls Hockey championship game in Crookston in February was a big highlight (take away the final score) because of the overwhelming support for the Pirate Girls Hockey team. “It was an unreal feeling. I knew it would be packed, but not that packed, and it was electric in the arena,” said Swanson.
Swanson said she is looking forward to developing her skills more in college. “I have a lot to work on and growing as a second family with the team,” said Swanson. “I am really excited to have a new start and new girls to play with and get a Sports Psychology degree.”
Swanson is a three-sport athlete and was the goalie on the Pirate Girls Soccer team and is also the catcher on the softball team this spring.
St. Olaf is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and is an NCAA Division III member competing in the MIAC conference.
