Chantele Melgaard

By Jake Grovum
UWRF Sports Information

Few student-athletes can compare with the story of Chantele Melgaard.

Hailing from Lakeville, Minn., Melgaard has always seen athletics play a role in her life. " My parents, Chip and Dawn, were very into slow-pitch softball so my brother Trevor and I grew up at the ball fields with them and their friends," Melgaard said. Melgaard recalled times spent with her family at home centering on vacations and softball tournaments. " We went to Wisconsin Dells a lot and that's always a blast. We also traveled a lot because I played fast pitch softball growing up and we always had tournaments during the summer weekends," Melgaard said.  

While times with her family might have revolved around trips Melgaard mentioned what her household becomes when it's Christmas time. "My dad decorates the outside of the house with Christmas lights and my mom decorates the inside. Our house is kind of crazy around Christmas time, we're like the Griswalds," Melgaard explained.

Melgaard pointed to her family as her inspiration for everything she does. "They have supported me through everything and have been at all my athletic events growing up. They have helped me so much and I owe a lot to them," Melgaard said.  

Melgaard's family's support enabled her to be an important part of two of Minnesota High School Basketball's greatest teams. Melgaard played her high school basketball at Lakeville High School. In both her junior and senior year Lakeville won the 4A state title. Her senior year they went 28-0, an accomplishment Melgaard said was her most memorable from high school. " My high school coach, Andy Berkvam, is one of my favorite people in the world. He is a great coach and also a great friend to have. He taught me a lot about being a basketball player and also a lot about being a good all-around person," Melgaard said of her high school coach. Melgaard also garnished a spot on the all-conference team and a place in the Minnesota All-Star game by averaging 10 points, two rebounds, and three steals per game in her senior year.

Melgaard was recruited by Falcon Head Coach Cindy Hovet after Hovet saw her play in the state tournament her senior year. Hovet has not been disappointed in the development of the player she recruited. "She is a great athlete; she adds a lot of anticipation to our defense and is a critical part of our team," Hovet said of Melgaard.

Majoring in health & human performance with a minor in coaching Melgaard has hopes to one day become a personal trainer and coach girl's high school basketball.

Melgaard has also earned her share of awards at the college level as she was named to the All-WIAC Defensive team after the 2005 season prior to taking a year off to have her daughter, Jordan Marie Melgaard-Torrez.   "I think her having a year off gave her a whole new appreciation for playing competitive basketball," Hovet said.  

While playing basketball, going to school, and raising her daughter is not an easy task Melgaard is quick to point out that she is not doing it all by herself. "My mom and dad have helped me out tremendously with Jordan and have made it so easy for me to be able to put so much time into basketball. But I owe this season to my boyfriend Dan (Torrez)," she explained. " If it wasn't for [Dan] I wouldn't have been able to play this year. I really appreciate everything he does for me and I owe him a lot. He is a great dad and deserves a lot of the credit," Melgaard said.

Melgaard also added that her daughter Jordan has become part of the Falcon basketball team already. "My teammates love having her around and are very good with her. I am extremely lucky to have such nice friends and family members who are willing to help me out. I don't think anyone is really complaining, Jordan is such a good baby and it helps a lot that she is the cutest baby in the world!" Melgaard said.

Both Hovet and Melgaard mentioned that having Jordan has changed the way she approaches the game. "We have seen her grow up about 10 years in the last year and I think her gentleness as a mom affects the way she is able to communicate with the team," Hovet said. Melgaard, on the other hand, said that her daughter has changed the way she reacts after a game, particularly if she has a bad game. "Before if I had a bad game I was angry after and would be crabby for the night, but now I can't be because when I walk off the court and see her crawling after me with a huge smile on her face, I can't help but be happy. She makes me realize that it's just a game and life goes on," Melgaard explained.

While having a child may have ended the careers of some athletes Melgaard was determined to continue playing basketball at the same level. " I started playing basketball again about six weeks after I had Jordan. I knew that I really needed to work hard to get back into basketball shape if I was going to be on the team again," Melgaard said.   Clearly Melgaard has been able to return to that level as she is already averaging 8.3 points, two steals, and 26 minutes per game so far this season.

Melgaard has high hopes for this season for both herself and her team. She hopes to once again be named to the All-WIAC Defensive team and lead the league in steals.   Melgaard also set a goal to earn at least honorable mention to the All-WIAC team. For the team she hopes they will win the conference. "I really believe this team can do that," Melgaard added.