Senior captain Sydney Hunst has always had a love for the game of hockey. Hunst will be attending the Division III school of St. Benedict’s next fall. They play in a very good MIAC conference with lots of talented players where Hunst will fit in perfectly at the center position. St. Benedict’s College has a current enrollment of about 1,800 students. 

St. Benedict’s is a smaller all female school located in St. Joseph, Minn., about 15 minutes outside of St. Cloud. Hunst said, “St. Benedicts will be a good fit for me because I get along with the people I know and have met who go there.” She will be majoring in either biology or integrated science. Hunst has learned a lot through the Owatonna hockey program from a young age. Hunst said, “Hockey has taught me to be relentless and a team player. I feel like growing up with my teammates has taught me a lot about being a good friend and being dependable.” Being a captain on a successful high school girls hockey team has led Hunst in the right direction in the form of leadership and creating good team chemistry. Head coach Tony Cloud said, “Sydney will help at the next level from day one. She has served as a team captain for three years here in Owatonna. Her strength on face-offs, special teams, and the defensive side of the game will allow her to contribute in many different ways.”

Hunst has had an outstanding varsity career thus far. She has been playing varsity since eight grade and has just recently scored her 100 point. This season so far she has scored a total of seven goals and has had 20 assists. That says a lot about who she is. She is a team first type of player and she has been a true role model for the younger classmen and showing them the ropes. Hunst has been playing the sport since she was little and it has been a goal of hers to play at the next level. Coach Cloud said, “Syd is a very good play-maker for our team. She is always looking to set up teammates for quality scoring chances.”

Outside of hockey she also plays soccer, away from sports she is also involved in Student Council, DECA, National Honor Society, orchestra, choir and the diversity inclusion club.  She was also a nominee for the Triple A award.  Teammate, senior captain Grace Wolfe said, “She is a strong leader because she voices her opinions and does her best to help everyone around her succeed. Sydney is also a very reliable teammate.” It is definitely fair to say St. Benedict got lucky having one of the not only most well-rounded students, but athletes as well.