Jesse Pedersen Sr. • P	It is extremely hard for me to sum up my feelings about my time here at Saint Mary’s in just one page. It seems like only yesterday I was moving down to Winona to begin my life after high school. My four years went by way too fast. I have had so many good times here and met so many wonderful people that have positively influenced my life. For this, I consider myself a very fortunate and lucky individual. To be able to play baseball at Saint Mary’s University was a great honor and I have nothing but respect for the athletic department that we as Cardinals are blessed to have. The records of the past couple of years really don’t matter as much as the relationships that have been formed on and off the field. All the time that was spent in the locker room and the great times that we all had running in circles around the rack. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything! First, I would like to thank my family. My brothers, Cory and Sam: We had a lot of good times causing each other some irritation over the years. But more importantly, we had even better times looking out for one another and helping each other along our different paths in life, the way that brothers are supposed to — love you guys! To my loving parents, what can I say? Where would I be without you? All the love, support and guidance you have given me over the years has helped me become the person that I am today — thank you. Dad: I will never forget all the times playing ball in the yard and all the games that you attended of mine. I always knew where the bike was going to be parked every game and you never let me down. You were always positive but critical when needed. I appreciate all of this and thank you very much — love ya, Jim Bob! Mom: Besides all the support you have given me throughout my athletic career, you have more importantly provided me with the lessons that I need in order to survive in the real world. Between you and me, we thought this day would never come! But it finally has and I couldn’t have even come close to doing it without you. Any little problem that came up in my life, I always came running to you. You never blew me off, but helped me to get through it. You provided me with the support and guidance that I needed. I really owe everything to you — love you a bunch! Grandma & Grandpa Edwards and Grandma & Grandpa Pedersen: Thanks for coming to so many of my games and for your unconditional support. I love you. To my aunts, Deb & Mel: Thanks for missing me so much when I wasn’t at the family gatherings! To my coaches: Coach Whaley — thanks for giving me the opportunity to put on a jersey everyday, it truly was an honor. Also, thanks for not letting me get away with the minimum. You pushed me into giving it my best and you let me know when I wasn’t giving it my all. You taught me life lessons that will serve me well. I really appreciate it. Coach Huegel — it has been a lot of fun. You as my coach all started with the Sting and then carried over to Saint Mary’s. You have put a lot of effort into making me the pitcher, but more importantly, the person that I am today. I appreciate all that you have done for me over the years and I look forward to what the future has to offer. Coach Cicalello — what can I say? You are one of my best friends. When we are not aggravating the heck out of each other, we manage to have a pretty good time, in fact, a great time! I think the reason we get under each other’s skin so badly is because we think of each other as brothers! I appreciate your insight on life and wish you the best. Donny — can’t thank you enough for all the time and effort you have put in over the years and for making me look so dang good in all the photo pics! Thanks for standing on the beach next to me in Florida, because without you there, I wouldn’t have looked so good (just kidding)! I truly appreciate everything, thanks again. To the seniors: Ryno — you have been my best friend my whole life and thank you for all you have helped me with along the way. I’m glad you decided to transfer down here, because Winona and Saint Mary’s wouldn’t have been the same without ya. Rinker — what can I say? I am still bitter about the suicide squeeze play that you guys beat us on in high school to go to state! But other than that, thanks for letting me beat up on you over years and eat your dad’s cookies when he sent them down. Joser — you are one of the most positive people I know. You’re a great leader and you make everyone else better by being around you. Joey P. — what can I say, man? You make every situation interesting and always have a good outlook on life — when you’re not dodging creditors that is! Hey, softball champs this year at the cabin — what do ya say? Jacobson — you have the best facial hair in the MIAC! Without your intellectual guidance, I don’t know where I would be in my life. Don’t get mad at your parents for giving your room to me for the summer. I’ll bring you up a cot! To the other players — Coz and Swanks — my thoughts about you guys are better described in actions. Brady Dale — give me my under armor back. Matty P. — I don’t ever think I have seen you get upset. This is what makes you the great pitcher that you are – take ’em to the top next year. Player-Coach Black — thanks for all the food I have stolen from your place and the cookies that your mom makes (which I think are really for me anyways). You are one of the best fungo hitters I have ever had the privilege of receiving a ground ball from. To all the other guys — thanks for all the memories and make sure to always stay positive, even when things aren’t looking so good because they always have a way of working out. To my roommates — Chad and Mike — when we are not disagreeing whose turn it is to do the dishes and take out the trash (BRY), we usually end up having a darn good time. There are a lot of memories from both of our houses that I will cherish forever. I almost forgot my super fans — Jill and Anna — thanks for being at every game. Your support didn’t go unnoticed. I don’t know where I am headed from here, but it will have to be pretty great to beat the times that I had at 700 Terrace Heights!