Kate Ainsworth Lovrien, ’96 • Track & Field
A two-time All-American, Kate Ainsworth was a force on the track during her time at Carleton. Ainsworth made an impact right away as a member of Carleton’s track and field squad, picking up two All-Conference honorable mentions and participating in the 4×800-meter relay that took second place at the MIAC Championships in her first year. Over the next two years Ainsworth collected five more All-Conference honorable mentions and was All-MIAC in the 800-meter run her sophomore year, setting the stage for a brilliant senior campaign. During her final collegiate season in 1996, the speedster collected two All-America awards and earned five All-Conference distinctions in indoor and outdoor track. At the national indoor meet, she posted a still-standing school record time in the 800-meter run of 2:16.3, finishing third in the nation and garnering All-America honors. Ainsworth won her second career All-America award in the outdoor season, finishing fifth at the NCAA national meet in the 1500-meter run. Further displaying her versatility, Ainsworth was the MIAC individual champion in the 1500-meter run and acquired a trio of second-place finishes at the 1996 MIAC Championships. To go along with the impressive individual awards, Ainsworth also was a member of numerous school-record holding relay teams that stand to this day. She played a significant role in the 4x1600m relay, sprint medley relay, and distance medley relay, all of which are the fastest in school history. A tremendous athlete, Ainsworth also was a top cross-country runner, helping the Knights reach the national meet during her tenure at Carleton.
Doug Chase, ’71 • Track & Field, Cross Country
The third-fastest mile runner in Carleton history, Doug Chase was a track and field All-American in 1970 and captain of both the cross-country and track teams. In cross-country, Chase finished as high as third place in the Midwest Conference championship meet, but it was on the track where he truly excelled. Running the 880 meters and the mile in addition to several relays, Chase competed in the conference championships from 1969 to 1971, helping Carleton win the MWC indoor title in 1970. In that meet, he ran on three winning relay squads. During the outdoor season, he used a 1:56 split to anchor the two-mile relay team to a then-school record performance. During the same junior season, he achieved his most impressive accomplishment—qualifying for the NCAA Championship meet in the mile and placing fifth with a time of 4:11 to earn All-America honors. As a senior Chase returned for a second year as a captain of the track team, earning the Millen Award as the team’s most valuable athlete.
Tim Thull, ’91 • Football, Baseball
Two-sport athletes have long been an integral part of the Carleton athletic tradition, but few have enjoyed the degree of success that Tim Thull realized in football and baseball. Twice named All-MIAC in each sport, Thull’s name is littered across the record books of both programs. In football, he was a ball-hawking defensive back with a flair for coming up with big interceptions. In 1990 Thull led the conference in picks, helping him to garner recognition as an All-Conference selection as well as an honorable mention All-American. Thull ranks second in school history with 19 career interceptions. He especially shone under the spotlight of the Carleton-St. Olaf rivalry, including two interceptions and a fumble return touchdown in the 1990 contest that saw the Knights retake the Goat Trophy, 37–20.
Meanwhile, in baseball, Thull’s career numbers rank in the top 10 of virtually every offensive category, and he was an integral part of Carleton’s MIAC-Champion squad in 1991. One of the most prolific run producers ever to don the maize and blue, Thull ranks second all-time with 111 career RBIs. He was a career .342 hitter, including the third-best single-season hitting performance in 1989, when he hit a whopping .438. Thull could run too, ranking eighth all-time in stolen bases with 29 and hitting nine triples during his career, tied for fourth-most in the program record book. He was a terrific outfielder as well, tracking down outs with the same nose for the ball that led to many interceptions on the football field. In 1989, Thull’s first of two All-MIAC campaigns, the then-sophomore played the entire season without committing an error. The following year, he again earned All-Conference honors and shared the Kelly Award for team most valuable player with John Nielson.
Leslie Gale, ’91 • Tennis
Both on and off the tennis court, Leslie Gale’s name was synonymous with success. In her time at Carleton, Gale personified the qualities of the consummate student-athlete. On the court, she was the first All-American in the history of the Carleton women’s tennis program, earning the distinction a school-record three times. Gale also was recognized as an Academic All-American and graduated magna cum laude. Anchoring the team for her four years, Gale was a two-time All-Conference singles selection. She first received the award in 1988 and then built on the feat in 1990, when she emerged as the MIAC’s No. 1 singles champion and was named the top player in the Midwest region. She advanced to the quarterfinals of the singles bracket at that year’s NCAA tournament. In doubles play, Gale formed an indomitable partnership with teammate Marcia Hunt. The pair enjoyed amazing runs in 1990 and 1991, taking second place at the NCAA Division III Doubles Championship in both years. Their efforts earned them status as repeat All-Americans to go along with All-Conference honors in 1991.
John Lundsten, ’61 • Football, Basketball, Baseball
John “Red” Lundsten excelled as a three-sport athlete, earning the maximum of nine varsity letters for his performance in football, basketball, and baseball. Praised for his leadership by teammates and coaches in every sport, Lundsten’s exemplary sportsmanship and academic excellence made him the inaugural recipient of the Warren L. Beson Memorial Award in June 1961. The honor has since been given to seniors who have won one or more awards in any sport and have a high scholastic average. On the gridiron each fall Lundsten was an integral part of one of the region’s most formidable defenses, routinely making hits from his defensive halfback position that “not only look good, [but] sound good” according to the Carletonian. A versatile player, he also starred on offense, as likely to pass for a touchdown as to run for or catch one. As a senior co-captain, Lundsten even assumed punting duties and helped lead the Knights to a winning season.
Meanwhile, as a guard on the basketball team, Lundsten had a reputation as one of the hardest drivers in the league. A varsity reserve during his sophomore and junior seasons, Lundsten started as a senior, playing hard-nosed defense and trusty offense, including a 17-point performance in his final home game. Head Coach Jack Thurnblad credited much of the team’s success to the senior co-captain’s hard work and abilities as a leader.
On the diamond, Lundsten made great contributions to the Carleton baseball program, starting at second base as a sophomore and junior before moving to the outfield for his senior year, when he was one of the Knights’ most reliable hitters. Lundsten carried especially fond memories of the Carleton-St. Olaf rivalry away from his career, having beaten the Oles in his last appearance against them in each sport, including winning back the football Goat Trophy in 1960.