Golden Gopher Rachael Bona sits down with MN Meditations

Golden Gopher Rachael Bona #15

This is no April Fool’s, people. Rachael Bona, a member of the Minnesota Golden Gopher Women’s hockey team – the team that just won the National Championship – agreed to meet with me on April 1. After some Facebook messages and texts, we landed on Sunday afternoon. Evenings are busy for Rach, and with the Men’s Frozen Four approaching, neither of us wanted to schedule our meeting for Thursday night!

We met on the campus of the University of Minnesota at the Starbucks on Washington Avenue – a mass of construction and chaos. When I arrived, a few minutes late due to lack of parking, Rachael was waiting outside at one of the tables, “tanning.”  We hugged and said our hello’s as we walked into the stuffy Starbucks (apparently no AC, yet) and ordered our cold drinks. The lack of air flow indoors sent us right back outside to a table in the sun!

After catching up a bit on life, lamenting about the lack of parking and the crazy mess of Washington Avenue, reminiscing on memories from our younger years, we eased into a casual interview conversation. With her quick smile and easy laugh, Rachael sipped on her iced drink and crunched on ice chips while filling me in on life as a Golden Gopher.

 MN: SO! National Champion! Has it sunk in?

RB: Not really! Kind of…I guess. We’ve been really busy doing a lot of events. We went to the Capitol. Sarah Erickson, our Captain, got to lead the whole floor in the Pledge of Allegiance. We (the rest of the team) sat really far up and watched! Went to a WILD Game so we were on the big screen. Some of my friends said they saw me on TV. Got some air time! We went to the Governor’s Mansion. And he let us go into rooms that people hadn’t been in for like 20 years. Like private family rooms. We might get to go to the White House, we’re not sure. I hope we can! That’s what I’m looking forward to the most. I guess Obama didn’t invite Wisconsin last year though, which I didn’t know that, I thought they had gone. Some people said that maybe we will get to go this year because it’s an election year and there’s some girl who went to the U who works at the White House or something, so she might be able to get us in. If we do get invited, I guess Obama’s people will just call us up and give us a date and we HAVE to go on that date. There’s no rescheduling!

MN: As a freshman, did you ever think you’d be part of a National Championship team your first year?

RB: It’s unreal that I won my freshman year and we won the WCHA Championship, too. It’s been 7 years since that’s happened – either of those. I have high expectations for the rest of my seasons here! The seniors said don’t expect it to happen every year! I came here (to the U) to win a National Championship and I did that.

MN: Was there a point in the season where you thought, this is it – we’re going all the way?

RB: Wisconsin’s really good. But, toward the end of the season I knew we were going to win. After we won the WCHA Championship, I knew we were going to go all the way. I just didn’t doubt it.

MN: Now, I know you’re not one to get super nervous before games, BUT…after you beat UND at Ridder in the Quarterfinals, did any nerves creep in knowing that you’d be heading back up to Duluth, most likely facing Wisconsin?

RB: When we played Cornell and Wisconsin, I didn’t get nervous until we were in the locker room about to go out – after warm-ups and all that, but I’m not really a nervous player. Some players let nerves get to them and I don’t. I was more excited, jittery. I was nervous during the Championship when Wisconsin tied it up – but it was more of a ‘Crap! We just blew a 2-0 lead.’

MN: What was it like to play in a border battle for the National Championship? What was your biggest challenge in playing Wisconsin?

RB: I expected it to end that way. We beat them twice during the regular season and I knew it was going to be the ultimate game right there. Wisconsin has a lot of good players. Coach Frost says that with Wisconsin it’s always a race to three – whoever gets to three points first. That’s the way our regular season games had gone against them. We played them at the beginning of the season and we lost 3-2, won 3-2. Played them in January and had a 3-3 tie and won 1-0. We knew we had to get on them right away. Both teams have great goalies. Wisconsin has this ultimate first line. They take one of their second line girls and move her up to the first line and *phew* they are good. Nora played unreal for us!

MN: Next year – sophomore year – how are you going to top freshman year?!

RB: Repeat! 2 time National Champion! I would like to win the regular season.  I mean, we won the WCHA Championship, but we didn’t win the regular season.Wisconsin won the regular season.

MN: Right, so you were opposite of the men’s team – they won their regular season and lost their championship.

RB: Right. Yeah, so that’s the one thing I haven’t done!

MN: How did playing on a National Championship team compare to playing on US Women’s National teams? If you can even compare the two…

RB: They are a lot different! USA hockey – it’s a lot of individuals. Everyone is the best from their team. There aren’t the bonds like you have with your team. Communication is easier on your own team. Like on the US teams, no one really says, ‘Oh, you need to do this or that for the next game.’ But on my team, teammates will tell you what you need to do. The leadership is different. When I played U18, we were all so young. But here, there are seniors who have been through this before. Sarah Erickson is amazing.

MN: What would you say to young girls, U10 or U14, who just watched you win a National Championship and want to make it to the D1 level?

RB: Keep working hard. People are getting so much better. You have to keep going. Work hard. There’s some really talented young kids, but if you don’t keep working hard, someone else will pass you. Pick a college where you know you’ll be happy. It’s just a gut feeling. You’ll know it’s the right place. I knew I wanted to come here; no other place. I just had that feeling.

MN: As a kid, what Gopher players did you look up to?

RB: Krissy Wendell. I remember going to a game with my dad and just watching Krissy. I don’t know, maybe that’s why I chose #7 (in high school). I don’t know where it came from – either Krissy or because the Disney Channel was channel 7. I’m not sure! Yeah, Krissy and Natalie Darwitz.

MN: Have you met either of them?

RB: I met Natalie when I toured. She gave me my tour because she was still the assistant coach. I missed her by a year! I haven’t met Krissy, but I guess her little sister played against me in high school. And her parents saw my brother once and said that she (Krissy’s sister) thought I was a great high school player!

MN: Oh, yeah. I know Kara and told her I knew you. She was like, ‘You KNOW her?! She’s a stud!’ So, you have a fan in Krissy’s sister!

RB: *Laughs and smiles

MN: Growing up, did you always want to play college hockey?

RB: Yeah. I always knew I was going to play college hockey. It’s a big reason why I quit soccer. I knew I had a future in hockey. And I didn’t want to get hurt playing soccer.

MN: You played other sports growing up. Do you think that made you a better hockey player?

RB: Yes. I do think it’s good for kids to play multiple sports. It helps you become more well rounded. If I had played just hockey and not tried anything else, I would have been bored. I liked having soccer in the fall and then hockey. I played softball one year and golf, too. Just to do something different.

MN: What are some skills you personally want to work on this off-season?

RB: I need to get stronger. I’m a lot stronger because of my work last summer, but I need to get stronger. I need to work on getting a better shot. It’s so hard to get a goal against goalies in college hockey. And I need to capitalize on scoring opportunities. I had so many chances, especially at the end of the season.

MN: Right! Like in the UND game!

RB: I KNOW! Seriously. Yeah, I need to be making those.

MN: This is a big week for the men’s team. Do you have any advice for the guys as they face BC?

RB: Oh! I don’t know! They better come out to play! Like our team, none of them have been to where they are now. They are well-prepared. They’re a very good team.

MN: How sweet if you both won National Championships in the same year!

RB: They’d take all our glory!

MN: Ha! People would be like, ‘What Women’s team?!’

RB: Seriously. When I tell people I play for the Gophers, they’re like, ‘Oh, so you play at Mariucci.’ No! They don’t even know we have our own rink!

MN: Well, so many women’s teams share with the men’s teams…But still!

RB: Yeah, it would be sweet though if they (men’s team) won. I hope they win!

MN: You’d for sure have to go to the White House!

RB: Yes!

The interview faded into regular conversation as we finished off our Starbucks and walked back toward the Aquatics Center where Rachael parked her scooter and I parked my car. Rachael’s wit and sarcasm at all the right moments, along with her upbeat chatter on life as a typical college student, procrastinating on homework and scooting around campus on her scooter, was an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We parted ways with a hug and Rachael said I could interview her any time, as long as Starbucks was involved! MN Meditations will definitely check in again with Rachael.

Looking forward to watching more great Gopher Women’s hockey! And GOOD LUCK to the Gopher men as they take on BC in Tampa this Thursday night!

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Get to know Rachael Bona!

Food you couldn’t live without:
RB: Bakery stuff. Like donuts! * laughs!
MN: The stuff you shouldn’t eat.
RB: Yeah! The donuts, cinnamon rolls…all that yummy stuff.

When “Domino” comes on, you turn up the volume. RB: It’s our team song! We play it in the locker room and everyone loves it. We just jam out!

Favorite movie:
RB: Right now, The Hunger Games! Some of the girls from the team went at midnight! We brought our trophy.
On her phone Rachael has a picture of the trophy...”We gave it a Katniss braid!”

Favorite hockey player:
RB: Sidney Crosby. Pretty cliché, but he’s frickin’ good!

If you could meet any hockey player (dead or alive) who would it be?
RB: Tyler Seguin. Yep. Or Crosby.

If you could pick players (pro, Olympian) to play with you on a DREAM line, who would they be?
RB: Oooh. Um. Well, again. *laughs* Crosby would center me and Tyler Seguin! I'd probably still be on the other end of the rink...
MN: Would you any have D?
RB: Do I have to pick D? I don’t pay attention to the D.
MN: So, it would be 3 on 3?
RB: Yeah! I don’t know who is good at D! No D!

Upcoming posts you won’t want to miss

I’m returning to my regularly scheduled posts. Cancer and chemo took over my family’s life; featured on this blog. If you recall, I was on a break from blogging back in October. And then came cancer.

So, I wrote about those hard times. Here. For anybody to read. I still have words to ponder and publish on this site. I can’t just forget what my life has been like since October. Thoughts will linger and new experiences will be blog-worthy.

For now though, I am focusing on not only my real life (and now that I finished The Hunger Games I can go through a day without interrupted Tribute thoughts) but on some real life stories of people I know you’ll love.

Facebook messages have been exchanged. Texts have been sent. One date is set, another in the works.
I’m interviewing two incredible women. Different women with different stories and experiences.

You won’t want to miss these interviews. Bear with me as I transition back into my blogging groove. And be sure to check back in a couple weeks (give or take) for some health tips and stories!

Ta-Ta’s are being saved today

Crude is not my style. So, I mean no disrespect when I use the popularized term, “Ta-Ta’s.” But I’ve learned lately not to dance around issues. To say things straight. And today, Ta-Ta’s are being saved.

Saved from the cancer that has taken up residence in their precious space.

Doctors, nurses, and other hospital personnel have paraded in and out of waiting rooms, rooms I have sat in since 9a, asking my mom various and sundry questions.

They’ve checked her wrist band, blood pressure, and breast.

Because she’s here today to go through a procedure that is a necessary evil in today’s world of cancer and chemo. And I’m here, too. Moving from waiting room to waiting room. Waiting. Waiting for the day when cancer and chemo won’t be part of my Urban Dictionary.

Ironically, a dear friend is waiting, too. Her mom’s cancer and chemo journey has been a bit different from my mom’s. Her procedures and treatments occurred in opposite order from my mom’s. Yet, she is here. Somewhere in this busy hospital. She is most-likely in post-op; my mom is preparing for pre-op. Their journey’s with breast cancer, like their time in the hospital today, is not the same charted course. No two courses are alike in this “Save the Ta-Ta’s” race we run.

This friend has been a source of comfort and encouragement. We’ve updated our mom’s (connected because of Cousin B’s mom) on the mile markers the other woman has reached. In the midst of hockey updates, we always remember our main fight is not over the Fighting Sioux and Gophers; rather, it is with cancer and chemo. Even on such a big week in the WCHA, we remove our rivalry masks and put on our cancer and chemo hats because this fight is much, much bigger than pairwise rankings and titles.

Whether my Sioux friend and I talk about it or not, we are part of a growing demographic of people – men, women, and children – who are working hard to save something most people are either uncomfortable or too comfortable discussing: Ta-Ta’s.

We’re saving Ta-Ta’s today. Will you join us in our save the Ta-Ta’s efforts?

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I ask. You answer.

1. Have you ever journeyed with a friend or foe on the cancer and chemo track?
   
2. What causes have you fought for that some may find to be uncomfortable topics or body parts?
3. What is the best way to get involved in saving the Ta-Ta’s?

A very Minnesota weekend for MN Meditations

I had myself a very Minnesota weekend.

The Boys’ State High School Hockey Tournament hit St. Paul like it does every March. The games on Wednesday were a bit lopsided in the scoring. Lots of blowouts and blanks. But things changed in the Class AA games in the Thursday evening sessions. Nail biters. Upsets.
Minnesota high school hockey.

That brings us to Friday. A beautiful day in the Twin Cities. Jackets were light. Spirits were high. The Let’s Play Hockey Expo brought smiles to the faces of teens, kids, coaches, and parents. Hockey players killed time before, in between, or after their tournament games. High school boys bummed around in their sweats and school branded jackets. And mites ran around with mini sticks and massive grins.

I was there. At the Expo in the afternoon. I may or may not have seen you there. Right after the Expo, I headed down to MOA for dinner and only dinner. I chose the restaurant based not on the menu or chef; rather, I chose the place because a. the line was short b. they had televisions and were showing the State Tourney – Moorhead vs. Hill-Murray semifinal game. And c. the waiter told me he’d change at least one of the TVs from some basketball game to the Gopher hockey game. Glad he followed through on his promise. The Gophs won. Beat Alaska Anchorage. One step closer.

It was a big Friday night. A great Friday night in Minnesota.

But Friday was just the start to the weekend.

Saturday welcomed us with atypical March Minnesota weather. A light jacket was unnecessary. Yet, people bummed around the Expo all day wearing their team’s hoodies and jackets. And Jack Jablonski gear. A reminder to us all that we’re in this together. This game and this state of hockey. Kids and parents bumped into friends and exchanged greetings and hugs in every aisle. 10 year olds and teens texted and talked as they walked, trying to locate their friends and family. Wild players were around the River Centre signing autographs. Booths buzzed with activity (minus the Shattuck booth-not a big hit at the State High School Tourney. Conflict of interest, ya know). Players checked out the latest and greatest gear. TotalHockey bags floated around filled with posters, t-shirts, and brochures for clinics and camps.

Meanwhile, in the X, the Vanelli brothers and their St. Thomas Academy Cadets won the Class A Boys’ State Title against Hermantown. The scores were announced during the Expo to the delights or disappointment of Expo attenders.

Then, around 3pm, I hit the road for another rink. On my way out of the Expo, via the Skyway, I saw a sight that can only be seen in The State of Hockey.

The lines for tickets to Saturday’s Championship game – long. Excited fans, parents, and students waited patiently for tickets to what turned out to be an incredible show.

I’m getting ahead of myself though. I left the Expo and took a detour because of information I received on the radio. Information that told me that 94w was closed – lanes were shutdown for construction. So, I told my phone to detour me. And detour it did. And then, in the end, it dumped me right back on 94 where I found out that there was no need for my ridiculous detour in the first place.

But I made it. On time. To see the Gopher Women’s game. The Gophers hosted the Sioux women and beat them 5-1. It should have been about 8-1 but the ladies couldn’t buy a goal-open net and all. Still. The Gopher women are ready to tackle next weekend in Duluth for the Semifinals. Be sure to congratulate those fine women and cheer them on next weekend.

I left Ridder just as Gopher fans were pulling into the parking lots and walking in the doors of Mariucci for the Men’s game against Alaska Anchorage. I rushed home, via more detours, accidental again. And I made it in time to watch the Gopher men struggle to capitalize on PP chances in the second. But then dominate in the third to close the deal. How bout that Haula? He’s on fire at the right time as the Gophers get ready to head to St. Paul via 94.

They’ll be at the X. Home away from home – home of Minnesota hockey. Wild and all. They’ll be at the Final Five. Hopefully winning in the same building that the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights won their first Class AA title in. Grant Besse scored all five of the Benilde goals. FIVE! What a kid! And what a story. From their tragedy in December with Jack Jablonski’s career-ending injury, Ken Pauly’s Red Knights fought hard to honor their teammate and show everyone that they were stronger and would not be denied. Not when they believe in miracles.
But lest you think Hill-Murray doesn’t get it, that they don’t know tragedy, read up on Duke Pieper and you’ll see that the Pioneers know all too well what it looks and feels like to lose a great player and teammate and how to fight through the tough times. Together. As a team.

That’s what makes the State Hockey Tournament so great. Aside from the phenomenal hockey you’ll witness, it truly is a showcase of all things Minnesotan. And it shows our strength. Pride. And determination. Our rallying efforts around kids we love and teams we celebrate.

All the pros and out of towners who say there is nothing like it. That in all there years of living here in the US or Canada, they’ve never seen people this excited for high school hockey. I mean, when 19, 880 people fill an NHL rink to watch 15-18 year old boys play – you know it’s good. And you know those pros, Canadian and all, mean every single word.

Don’t take my word for it. Or Brett Hull’s. Plan your spring break trip to MN next March. You’re welcome to see what all the fuss is about at the State Tourney and hockey expo. And I guarantee you’ll catch some great hockey and hear human interest stories that will pique your interest.

We welcome you to our very Minnesotan State Hockey Tournament anytime you can come to our Gopher nation.

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