Hometown/Current City: Grimes, Iowa | Current: Springfield, Missouri
Undergraduate Major: Exercise Science, Minor in Chemistry
Postgraduate Field of Study: Physician Assist Studies
 
How has being a student-athlete shaped the person you're becoming?
Being a student athlete has taught me how to be disciplined and resilient in many ways. It is an honor to play the sport that I love and attend Missouri State University. However, it can be challenging to find balance with academics, athletics, and my personal life. I have become more dedicated and motivated to prioritize time management to reach my goals. There have been times where I feel overwhelmed and stressed, but these experiences have made me more confident in who I am. Being on the Missouri State Women's soccer team has opened my eyes to how important leadership and supporting others is. Success in my sport comes from working together toward a goal as a team. Most importantly, being a student athlete has taught me how to handle myself in times when I face adversity. I have realized that not everything will go as planned and that is just a part of life. There are many lessons from soccer that I will carry with me after my athletic career is over, especially as I work toward my goal of becoming a Physician Assistant.
 
What's one thing your sport has taught you that helps you in the classroom?
One thing that soccer has taught me that has helped me in the classroom is time management. As student athletes, we balance practices, games, travel, and other duties. I have learned that being diligent with my planning and time management is crucial to excel on exams, tests, labs, etc. Though it is not easy, it is important that I attain this standard for myself throughout the rest of my senior year leading into PA school. I do not have time to postpone studying for exams or delay completing assignments due to my busy schedule. This means sacrificing time with friends and rearranging my schedule to ensure that I stay on top of my heavy workload. Soccer has helped me develop key habits to stay organized, responsible, and prepared when it comes to my education. These skills combined have played a big role in my academic success.
 
What are you most excited about beyond your playing days?
I am most excited to begin my journey is pursuing a career in healthcare and working towards becoming a Physician Assistant. Soccer has been a major part of my life growing up, and as I prepare for the next chapter, I look forward to applying the lessons and skills I have gained as an athlete to my future endeavors. I am excited to continue learning and growing through new experiences while making meaningful differences in the lives of others. Although I will miss soccer dearly and the many friendships I have made along the way, I am eager to see what the future holds.
 
What keeps you motivated when things get busy or challenging?
What keeps me motivated when things get busy or challenging is remembering why I started playing soccer. When I was younger, seeing the excitement on my parents' faces when I played brought me pure joy. Being a senior now, I still look up in the stands to spot my parents—to this day I am still reminded that no matter if I have the best game of my life or one of my worst—my performance on the field or even in the classroom could never make them less proud of me.  Balancing soccer, academics, my social life, and other responsibilities can be extremely overwhelming at times. However, I try to focus on the bigger picture and remind myself of all the hard work and dedication it has taken to get to where I am today. I would have never had these opportunities if it weren’t for my family. They are the ones who I can lean on when I am having a bad day—they are simply my “why”. They are why I am who I am...they are why I choose to keep pursuing my dreams. Not every day is going to be easy. Some days will knock you down, while others will lift you up. Through it all, I have learned that I cannot do it alone—and I think that many people would say the same. 
 
What's the best advice a coach, teammate, professor, or mentor has given you?
One of the biggest things that I have received came from my mom. She has always told me to control the controllables—my effort, attitude, and mindset. From a young age, she showed me that if you put your mind to something—there is nothing stopping you from reaching your goals. This is something that I can apply to all aspects of my life. There will always be scenarios and situations that do not go as planned, but that is just the reality of life. All I can control is how I respond. Instead of wasting time worrying about things that are simply out of my hands, I challenge myself to make the most of it, stay positive, and keep pushing forward.
 
What's a skill from sports that has helped you in the classroom, or vice versa?
One major skill that I have learned from years of playing soccer is the importance of communication. Being a part of a team has shown me how vital it is to be able to intently listen to your teammates and coaches while being confident in yourself. In any career field that you go into, you will be challenged to work with people who disagree with you and your opinion. I use this skill when interacting with classmates, hearing and acknowledging others' ideas, actively participating in discussions, and communicating with professors courteously. Soccer has aided me in becoming more confident in articulating my thoughts/ideas while also exploring others’ perspectives. 
 
How do you mentally reset between practice/competition and hitting the books?
I have learned over the years how important it is, both mentally and physically, to give yourself breaks. During peak season, I tend to get overwhelmed with everything going on. Between focusing on soccer, school, and my future, I sometimes struggle to take a break. I give myself rest by hanging out with my friends, calling my parents to simply check in, going on walks with my dog, and even cleaning my room. Though these things might seem miniscule to others, they are what truly fill my cup.
 
What is a moment that made you proud to be part of this program?
One of the things that has made me most proud to be part of this program is looking around at my teammates and recognizing how much we have grown, both on and off the field. Through this program, I have built friendships that will last a lifetime, including some with people who will one day stand beside me at my wedding. For that, I am incredibly grateful. Throughout my years here, we have experienced countless highs and lows, but no matter what challenges we have faced, we have always found a way to come together and support one another. Being surrounded by teammates who continuously push each other to become better players and, more importantly, better people has made representing Missouri State even more meaningful. I am beyond thankful for the memories we have made, the friendships we have built, and the lessons I will carry with me long after my playing days are over.