Teagen Lenderink, SVSU kicker, earned D2 National Special Teams Player of the Week in one of the most prominent rivalry games in the division. His three clutch field goals, including a career-long 53-yarder, earned him this career-defining accolade.
Lenderink did not view this as a recognition but rather a validation of a mindset he has strived to build over the years.
“I always try to keep my mindset the same before any kick and that mindset is [to] control what I can control,” Lenderink said.“There is a huge amount of trust between the snap, hold, and kick, and I rely on Brendan O’Brien and Brett Mueller. I could not be successful without them.”
This philosophy helped Lenderink perform under pressure in the Battle of the Valleys. The Cardinals shocked seventh-ranked GVSU 20-19 thanks to Lenderink’s precision in the field which helped them gain the momentum early and also come out making history.
Head Coach Ryan Brady commented on Lenderink’s mental mastery.
“Teagen was extremely confident heading into the Battle of the Valleys,” Brady said. “His focus and attention to detail really stood out during the game. The external factors… didn’t affect him — he just stayed locked in.”
All eyes are not just on the quarterback. The kicker faces pressure of their own as one motion decides momentum, and in this case, history.
“The main focus is not to change anything — just hit the ball the same as if it were an extra point,” Lenderink said. “I always keep in mind what Coach Brady tells me: ‘smooth.’”
This process is predicated on mastering the fundamentals, leveraging the powers of visualization, and having a ‘short-term memory’, according to Lenderink.
“Go back to the fundamentals,” Lenderink said. “[Once] you build that confidence … you can [replicate] that from week to week [as] kicking with confidence helps tremendously.”
Surprisingly, his proudest kick of the night wasn’t the 53-yarder that broke his personal record.
“The 49-yarder at the end of the half was more special to me … because of the fact of what happened prior to that kick [and] the timeouts trying to ice me,” he said. “The crowd was so loud during that kick it created a really cool atmosphere.”
Lenderink makes it a point to lift three times a week and spends Tuesdays focusing on field-goal work. He practices a mental dress rehearsal as he perfects every detail, the snap, the hold, and the strike.
Coach Brady commented on his progress, highlighting that he has been making strides in his first semester at SVSU.
“Teagen has grown significantly in every aspect of his life since arriving on campus,” Brady said. “He has learned … to keep fighting no matter what, [and] now he has come out on top in the most important game of the year.”
Lenderink, being a Grand Rapids native, holds this game close to his heart.
“[The win] meant a lot to me, and I know a lot of people either on that team or enrolled at GV, so it was going to be a big bragging rights thing,” he said.
Lenderink attributes his talent and win to two very special people.
“[First and foremost] my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — I wouldn’t be able to do anything without him,” he said. “My biggest mentor [Coach James Wilhoit] coached me all the way up from high school and made me the kicker I am today.”
In a sport that revolves around power and precision, Lenderink’s greatest strength may stem from stillness as at the end of the day, it is his mindset that makes him unstoppable, and he hopes to take it into the NFL.
Kylie Acker 
Jacie Schonert