Top 5 Most Memorable UND Varsity Sports Moments of the 2023-2024 School Year

By: Alex McArthur

April 29, 2024

The 2023-2024 sports season at the University of North Dakota featured pivotal performances that significantly

impacted the Fighting Hawks' legacy. This article highlights five key moments from the season, demonstrating

the strategic prowess and resilience of UND's athletes across various sports.

These highlights showcase individual excellence and reflect the collaborative effort and strategic planning

underpinning UND’s athletic success. As we recount these top sports moments, we celebrate the victories and

accolades and delve into the stories behind the scores, revealing the determination and teamwork that propel

UND athletes to excel. Each highlight stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Fighting Hawks,

inspiring current and future generations with their storied achievements.

Moment 1: Record-Breaking Performance by Luke Labatte

Event Details
 Event: Bryan Clay Invitational
 Location: Azusa, California
 Date: April 14, 2024
At the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, Luke Labatte of the University of North Dakota delivered a

spectacular performance by setting a new school record in the 1500 meters. Competing late into the night,

Labatte clocked a personal-best time of 3:47.45, surpassing the previous record of 3:48.40 set by his teammate

Aleksa Milanovic at the 2023 Drake Relays ("Labatte Breaks Record, UND Finishes California Meets"). This

achievement highlighted a series of competitive events that saw UND athletes break multiple school records

across various disciplines.

Labatte's record-breaking effort occurred around 12:45 a.m. Central Time, underscoring the intensity and focus

required to compete at such a high level under challenging conditions. His performance was part of a successful

campaign at the Bryan Clay Invitational, one of several meets UND participated in California, setting four new

school records and adding numerous entries to the UND top-10 list. On a particularly successful trip, Labatte

also established a new school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase earlier in the week, demonstrating his

versatility and endurance.

These accomplishments are significant as they not only demonstrate individual excellence but also contribute to

the strengthening of UND’s track and field program. Labatte's new record in the 1500 meters is a testament to

his dedication and the strategic coaching received at UND, setting new standards for future athletes of the

program.
Moment 2: Dramatic Win Against Top-Ranked Minnesota
 Event: Men’s Hockey Game
 Location: Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota
 Date: October 21, 2023
 Opponent: No. 1 ranked Minnesota
In a tightly contested match on October 21, 2023, the University of North Dakota's men's hockey team edged

out top-ranked Minnesota with a 2-1 victory at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. This win allowed UND

to split the weekend series, adding a memorable chapter to their storied rivalry ("No. 5 UND Topples No. 1

Minnesota 2-1 to Earn Series Split").

The game unfolded with robust defense from both teams, leading to a scoreless first period. The ice broke in the

second period when Jayden Perron, capitalizing on a Garrett Pyke shot, deflected the puck past Minnesota's

goaltender to notch a 1-0 lead for UND. Despite dominating the shot count, UND entered the third period with

only a narrow lead.

Just 59 seconds into the third, Jake Livanavage widened the gap with a clever shot from a challenging angle,

marking his first collegiate goal and doubling UND's lead. Minnesota responded midway through the period

with Jaxon Nelson deflecting a puck into the net, cutting the lead to one. However, UND held firm, showcasing

their resolve and strategic play to close out the game at 2-1.

Ludvig Persson stood out between the pipes, making 21 saves on 22 shots. His performance, coupled with the

team's 16 blocked shots, highlighted a collective effort that was crucial for the night's success. This victory was

not just another win but a testament to UND's gritty determination and ability to perform under pressure.

Historically, UND's record against Minnesota now stands at 136-143-16, with a stronger showing of 73-58-8 in

Grand Forks. This particular victory marked UND's fifth consecutive Saturday win over Minnesota, underlining

their competitive edge in weekend games.

Moment 3: Commanding Postseason Opener
Event Details
 Event: NCHC Quarterfinals
 Location: Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota
 Date: March 15, 2024
 Opponent: Miami University
In their postseason opener on March 15, 2024, at Ralph Engelstad Arena, the University of North Dakota's

men's hockey team, as the top seed, clinched a decisive 5-1 victory against the eighth-seeded Miami. The

standout performance featured five different goal scorers and a strong showing by freshman goaltender Hobie

Hedquist, who made a surprise start and stopped 23 of 24 shots ("Top-Seeded Fighting Hawks Open Postseason

with 5-1 Win Over Miami").

Hedquist, stepping in for the missing senior netminder Ludvig Persson, demonstrated his readiness despite not

starting since January 13. His effort helped put UND one step closer to reaching the NCHC Frozen Faceoff.

The game began with UND struggling to find their rhythm, producing little offense for the first 19 minutes.

However, the tide turned dramatically when Jake Schmaltz scored from distance in the final second of the first

period, breaking a personal 33-game goal drought and giving UND a crucial 1-0 lead.

In the second period, the action intensified. Owen McLaughlin capitalized on a rebound to double the lead,

shortly followed by Miami cutting the deficit to one. UND quickly responded with a power play goal from

Riese Gaber, restoring their two-goal lead by the end of the period.

The third period saw UND firmly control the game, with goals from Jackson Blake and Jake Livanavage sealing

a convincing 5-1 victory. This strong performance underscored UND’s offensive depth and defensive resilience,

setting a confident tone for their postseason aspirations.

Postgame statistics highlighted UND's dominance in the NCHC Quarterfinals, where they have a record of 16-

4-0, including an 8-0-0 record as the No. 1 seed. Notably, Jackson Blake reached a personal milestone,

becoming the second player this season to score 20 goals.

Moment 4: Senior Day Spectacle in Men's Basketball

Event Details

 Event: Senior Day Game

 Location: Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota
 Date: March 2, 2024
 Opponent: South Dakota
On Senior Day, the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team delivered a dominant performance,

defeating South Dakota 95-66. This victory in the final regular season game was highlighted by a remarkable

50-25 run in the second half ("Fighting Hawks Run Past Coyotes in the Second Half, Win 95-66 on Senior

Day"). The game featured standout performances: Tsotne Tsartsidze, honored before the game, scored 14 points

along with seven rebounds and two steals. Tyree Ihenacho led the scoring with a career-high 24 points and

matched his career-best with eight assists, while Amar Kuljuhovic anchored the rebounding effort with eight

boards, and B.J. Omot added three steals and two blocked shots.

The match saw momentum shifts, with UND initially leading, then briefly trailing after a strong push from

South Dakota. However, a three-pointer from Treysen Eaglestaff turned the tide, sparking a 13-2 run that helped

UND regain control and end the first half with a 45-41 lead. In the second half, UND rapidly extended their lead

with a 12-2 run right out of the locker room, effectively distancing themselves from South Dakota and never

allowing the Yotes to get within single digits again.

UND's performance was not just about scoring; they demonstrated excellent ball handling and defense, with 18

assists to only three turnovers, and 11 steals. Their efficient play was evident as both teams shot over 50% from

the field, but UND capitalized on critical moments to secure the win. As the regular season concluded, UND

awaited their seeding and opponent in the Summit League Tournament quarterfinals, dependent on the outcome

of Kansas City's upcoming game.

Moment 5: Decisive Upset Over NDSU
Event Details
 Event: College Football Game
 Location: Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND
 Date: October 14, 2023
 Opponent: No. 6 North Dakota State
In an impressive display of dominance, the University of North Dakota's football team, ranked No. 15, routed

the No. 6/7 North Dakota State Bison 49-24 in a packed Alerus Center on October 14, 2023. The game began

spectacularly with Luke Skokna returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for

the rest of the match ("No. 15 UND Dismantles No. 6/7 NDSU 49-24").

Skokna was a standout player, scoring three touchdowns, including a 13-yard reception and a four-yard rush

before halftime, helping to establish a 28-17 lead. Gaven Ziebarth also significantly contributed with 156

rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a decisive 59-yard run in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

North Dakota's offense was efficient throughout, scoring on six of their eight possessions and amassing 328

yards of total offense. Their defense limited NDSU to 150 rushing yards and clinched the game with a notable

+1 turnover margin, highlighted by C.J. Siegel's interception which he returned for 59 yards, setting up another

UND touchdown.

This victory not only showcased UND's offensive and defensive prowess but also marked a significant

milestone in the storied rivalry, with UND now leading the series 63-50-3. The win also underscored their

strong home record, contributing to a 23-2 record at the Alerus Center over their last 25 games.
Social Media Plan for UND Varsity Sports Moments

Objective:

To engage with the University of North Dakota's student body, alumni, and sports fans through a series of

strategic social media posts that highlight the top five sports moments from the 2023-2024 school year.

Platforms and Content:

Instagram and Facebook Stories:

 Share individual stories for each sports moment, using engaging visuals from the events and succinct

captions to encourage viewers to swipe up or click to read the full article.

 Utilize polls and reaction sliders to gauge which moment the audience found most exciting.

Twitter:

 Create a thread summarizing each moment with a link to the full story and use relevant hashtags like

#UNDproud and #FightingHawks to increase visibility.

 Engage with users by retweeting their memories and comments about these moments.

TikTok:

 Develop short clips reenacting or artistically interpreting each memorable moment, followed by a call-

to-action to visit the full article.

 Collaborate with student athletes or influencers to share their reactions or personal experiences related to

these moments.
Timing:

The social media campaign will span over two weeks, with each platform introducing a new moment every

other day. The rollout will start with the fifth moment and build up to the most memorable one, maintaining

suspense and audience engagement throughout the campaign.

Engagement Strategy:

 Monitor and respond promptly to comments and shares to foster a sense of community among followers.

 Host a Q&A session on Instagram Live with some of the athletes featured in the moments to deepen

audience engagement.

Measurement and Analytics:

Track engagement metrics across platforms, such as likes, shares, comments, click-through rates, and time spent

on the article page, to assess the effectiveness of the social media campaign and adjust strategies as needed.

Pre-Publication Promotion:

 Tease the upcoming feature with "sneak peeks" and behind-the-scenes content in the week leading up to

the first post.

 Use countdown features on Instagram and Facebook to build anticipation.

Post-Publication Promotion:

 Share testimonials or quotes from individuals involved in the moments, such as athletes, coaches, or fans

who witnessed the events.

 Encourage followers to share their own photos or memories from the games to create a user-generated

content stream linked to the main article.

 Luke Labatte in action at the Bryan Clay Invitational, where he set a new school record in the
1500 meters with a time of 3:47.45.

 Jake Livanavage celebrates with Garrett Pyke and Hunter Johaness after scoring 59 seconds into
the third period, widening UND's lead in a crucial game against Minnesota.
 Jake Livanavage (#4) and Jackson Blake (#9) share a moment of celebration after a crucial goal,
capturing the spirit of teamwork that propelled UND to a victory.

 Tsotne Tsartsidze (#10) stands honored on Senior Day, flanked by coaching staff and team
personnel, commemorating his contributions to the UND basketball team.
 Luke Skokna (#27) powers through for a rushing touchdown, one of his three pivotal scores,
exemplifying the Fighting Hawks' offensive force against NDSU.
 Work Cited

"Fighting Hawks Run Past Coyotes in the Second Half, Win 95-66 on Senior Day." UND Fighting

Hawks, University of North Dakota, 2 Mar. 2024, fightinghawks.com/news/2024/3/2/mens-

basketball-fighting-hawks-run-past-coyotes-in-the-second-half-win-95-66-on-senior-day.aspx.

"Labatte Breaks Record, UND Finishes California Meets." UND Fighting Hawks, University of North

Dakota, 14 Apr. 2024, fightinghawks.com/news/2024/4/14/mens-outdoor-track-field-labatte-

breaks-record-und-finishes-california-meets.aspx.

"No. 15 UND Dismantles No. 6/7 NDSU 49-24." UND Fighting Hawks, University of North Dakota, 14

Oct. 2023, fightinghawks.com/news/2023/10/14/football-no-15-und-dismantles-no-6-7-ndsu-49-

24.aspx.

"No. 5 UND Topples No. 1 Minnesota 2-1 to Earn Series Split." UND Fighting Hawks, University of

North Dakota, 21 Oct. 2023, fightinghawks.com/news/2023/10/21/mens-hockey-no-5-und-

topples-no-1-minnesota-2-1-to-earn-series-split.aspx.

"Top-Seeded Fighting Hawks Open Postseason with 5-1 Win Over Miami." UND Fighting Hawks,

University of North Dakota, 15 Mar. 2024, fightinghawks.com/news/2024/3/15/mens-hockey-

top-seeded-fighting-hawks-open-postseason-with-5-1-win-over-miami.aspx.