PUEBLO, Colo. (August 23, 2026) – Colorado State University Pueblo Athletics officially welcomed its student-athletes back to campus Sunday evening as more than 550 ThunderWolves gathered in the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom for the department's annual Total Program Meeting.
Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the 2027 Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award, as senior wrestler Solomon Arnds-Volcin (Colorado Springs, Colo./Vista Ridge) and senior women's lacrosse defender Dylan Retzloff (Bend, Ore./Mountain View) were selected as this year's recipients.
The annual Total Program Meeting brings together student-athletes from CSU Pueblo's 19 athletic programs to celebrate the start of the academic and athletic year while highlighting the history, expectations and opportunities associated with being a ThunderWolf student-athlete.
The evening began with remarks from CSU Pueblo President Dr. Rhonda Epper before the student-athletes participated in a game of Heads or Tails. CSU Pueblo Vice President for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships Dr. Paul Plinske then joined several members of the department in addressing the student-athletes.
Head coaches Bobby Applegate (Baseball), Dax Charles (Wrestling), Zach Ruebesam (Men's Basketball) and Philip Vigil (Football), along with Jenna McKinley-Fall and John Wristen, discussed the history and traditions of ThunderWolf Athletics. Student-athletes also learned about engagement opportunities available to them across campus.
The evening concluded with Plinske announcing the nominees and recipients of the Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award. Student-athletes also received a T-shirt to wear Monday as CSU Pueblo begins its first day of classes for the 2026-27 academic year.
First presented in 2020, the Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award recognizes student-athletes who best exemplify the heart of the ThunderWolf spirit through selfless loyalty, dedication, and support of their teammates. Recipients encourage and inspire those around them to be their best not only in competition, but also as students and active members of the community. Their enthusiasm and devotion to their Pack Family and CSU Pueblo embody the true spirit of the Pack.
This year's award featured 16 nominees – seven male and nine female student-athletes. Arnds-Volcin and Retzloff became the first student-athletes from wrestling and women's lacrosse, respectively, to receive the honor since its inception.
Both recipients will receive an additional $1,000 scholarship through the generosity of Carol and Mark Rickman.
"The Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award represents what we want ThunderWolf Athletics to be about – people who put their teammates first, lead by example and make a positive impact on and off the field," Plinske said. "We are incredibly proud of this year's nominees and the commitment they have shown to their teammates, their programs and the CSU Pueblo community.
"We are especially grateful to Carol and Mark Rickman for their generosity and for investing in student-athletes who truly embody the spirit of the Pack."
CSU Pueblo head coaches nominate student-athletes for the award, with the recipients selected by a panel of representatives from the athletics department.
In addition to Arnds-Volcin and Retzloff, the other nominees for the 2027 Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award were:
Male Student-Athletes
Solomon Arnds-Volcin – Wrestling
Jason Arriola – Baseball
Dominic Cesario-Scott – Football
Xavier Freeman – Cross Country/Track & Field
Corbin Garver – Basketball
Katsutoshi Hayashi – Soccer
Luke Shelton – Golf
Female Student-Athletes
Emma Case – Softball
Laci Denn – Swimming & Diving
Taniya Farcy – Dance
Caytlynn Garland – Soccer
Yale Lee – Golf
Dylan Retzloff – Lacrosse
Laci Roffle – Basketball
Finja Schul – Volleyball
Mary Scoggins – Cross Country/Track & Field
Tundra Spirit of the Pack Award Recipients
2020
Jenna McKinley – Women's Track & Field
Marcelo Laguera – Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
2021
The Pack
2022
Brianna Fong – Cheerleading
Clay Kucera – Men's Golf
2023
Hannah Delor – Volleyball
Nate Miller – Men's Track & Field
2024
Katherine Higgins – Women's Track & Field
Eli Pittman – Football
2025
Margot Thomas-Gatel – Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Ignatius DeMark – Men's Soccer
2026
Lisa Ekberg – Women's Golf
Sam Howery – Men's Basketball
2027
Solomon Arnds-Volcin – Wrestling
Dylan Retzloff – Women's Lacrosse
