Where did the summer go?

We could have all predicted it four months ago. The weather-compressed summer of 2013 seemed to go by in the blink of an eye.

As residents of Minnesota, we grow up learning to savor the summer months and the carnivals, vacations at the lake and outdoor athletic events that accompany them.  Winter storms last April and soggy weather in May hijacked our spring sport seasons and delayed the start of summer. It seemed as though temperatures went from zero to 80 in a matter days, but that didn't stop our student-athletes from taking full advantage of their time away. 

Andrew Benson opened the summer representing BSU in the Minnesota Golf Association Players' Championship at Interlachen Country Club June 24-25. He won his opening round match, but bowed out of the tournament in the round of 32... Benson and fellow BSU golfer John Hafdal were among the 156 competitors to qualify for the 110th Annual Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship at the Medina Golf & Country Club July 17... Jack Hegarty, of the BSU baseball team, joined the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League July 17 as a relief pitcher. He has played in four games, including a start and is 0-1. The Stingers are 33-25 overall and are third in the league's North Division...Meanwhile in Kansas, sophomore Tyler Nelson and freshman Mason Bellew found success for the North Central Kansas Knights of the Walter Johnson League. Bellew played in 20 games and collected 14 hits, while hitting .264 as the Knights' first baseman. Nelson played 33 games in the outfield and on the mound. He hit .265 and posted 15 RBIs with five doubles and a home run. He was 1-0 in two pitching appearances with a 4.50 ERA... Members of BSU's soccer, volleyball and men's and women's basketball teams made occasional appearances on campus to help instruct aspiring athletes as a part of a variety of summer youth camps...Former Beavers also made a splash this summer. Brad Hunt (2008-2011) signed a contract with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers organization July 8 after an all-star season with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL... Word also has it that Matt Carlson has agreed to terms to play defense for the Quad City Mallards of the CHL and Jordan George will take his talents to Norway next season, playing for Rosenborg Elite...2013 grad Brian Leonhardt, who signed a free agent contract with the Oakland Raiders in April, began his first NFL training camp with the organization July 25 and will attempt to make the team as a tight end.

Now, summer's warmth will be fading as quickly as it arrived. A look at today's date of August 1 brings anticipation for the 2013-14 athletic season. 

As hard as it will be to soon pack away our Bermuda shorts and sandals, cooler weather also means the Beavers' season-opening kickoff and the start of the 2013-14 school year is just around the corner. BSU student-athletes return for fall training camps beginning Aug. 14.

Get ready Beaver Nation, 2013-14 is coming and its going to be exciting!