Two athletes pursuing post-secondary sports dreams

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By Patrick Price Times Contributor

It is nice to be wanted, and two Grade 12 Strathmore High School athletes will pursue their athleticisms and passions at a higher level.
Daniel Mulder has decided to continue his basketball career at Calgary’s Mount Royal University (MRU) next year while Boris Kuljanin will grace the volleyball court at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus in Camrose.
Mulder scored a career high 45 points while leading the Spartans to an overtime victory over Brooks, March 12, in a south central zones’ playoff game.
“He’s a great player,” Matthew Laslo remarked, coach for the senior boys’ basketball team at SHS. “Daniel is very coachable who always thinks of his team first. He has a great jump-shot and excellent footwork in the post.”
Mulder has had several offers for volleyball and basketball from numerous colleges and universities, but he decided on MRU.
“It’s a pretty good deal,” he said, without disclosing details. “I’ve had quite a few offers from ACA (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) and from USPORTS. I had a few offers for volleyball as well. I’ve only played volleyball for four or five years, but my first passion is basketball.”
At 6’7”, Mulder will likely be utilized as a power forward for the Mount Royal Cougars, although he believes he most likely will not be a starter.
“It’s a big jump from high school, and there are a few things I need to improve on,” he commented. “I’m pretty hard on myself. I need to work on agility and speed. They (MRU) have a couple of fifth year starters coming back for their final season. Chances are I will be used coming off the bench.”
Daniel Kuljanin also excels at basketball and volleyball, but his passion is in the game of volleyball.
“Volleyball seemed more promising rather than basketball,” he said. “I started playing with my dad and when I joined a team, I found I had success. I have been playing since the seventh grade.”
Like, Kuljanin realizes he must improve his game playing at a higher level. The Augustana Vikings play in the ACAC.
“I went out to one practice with the Vikings about three months ago,” said Kuljanin. “It was a great experience. It was fun to play with guys who are better than me. There are things I must work on. I have to be stronger with my ball work and on my vertical.”
Kuljanin conferred with SHS volleyball coach Cole Hintz, along with his parents, and they decided Augustana was a good fit.
“It’s close to home and it is a nice small campus,” he noted. “Right now, I am trying to catch up on school work.”
“He’s an outside attacker,” said Hintz, who has coached Kuljanin for the past several years. “He is very quick in the back row and takes away a lot of attacks by popping into empty space quickly. In the front row he is very quick off the floor and has a very quick arm (kills). He is able to attack the ball quickly before the block is formed.”
Both students plan to study kinesiology while attending their respective schools.
“I want to keep my passion in sports,” remarked Kuljanin. “I want to be around athletics, possibly as a physical therapist. I would love to travel with a sports team.”
“I want to play sports,” Mulder added. “I am exploring what I want to do. I appreciate going to SHS. Having a close-knit community, and coaches who really care for me as a person. Those coaches got me out from under the net. It’s been fun, and I think I’ll miss a lot of people.”