Throughout the remainder of the Spring Semester, The Summit League is going to feature senior student-athletes that had their seasons cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Various student-athletes from each of the league's member institutions from the sports of baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field will be featured during this campaign.
1. What is the earliest childhood memory you have of the sport you participated in during college? Who do you credit for introducing you to the sport? Who sparked that passion for you?
"My earliest childhood memory I have of golf is playing at a local nine-hole course when I was six and just learning to play. My dad introduced me to golf by bringing me with him to the practices of the high school team he was coaching at the time. He also sparked my passion for golf at a young age, and is still sparking the passion for me today."
2. What was your favorite on-field/on-court/on-track/on-course memory during your time as a Summit League student-athlete? What made it special?
"My favorite on-course memory during my time as a Summit League student-athlete was winning a tournament (hosted by) Creighton in Nebraska as a team. It was the team's first tournament win in a while and it was amazing to be there for that."
3. What is the strangest superstition yourself or one of your collegiate teammates has?
"I used to eat the same three snacks on the golf course, every three holes. Gatorade chew, cliff bar, carrots, in that order."
4. Tell us about one person that has come into your life since beginning your collegiate athletics career and how they impacted your life? This could be a coach, teammate, administrator, trainer, etc… Take this opportunity to give them a shout out for what they've done for you.
"Coach Lia (Biehl Lukkarinen) has greatly impacted my life. I used to be a very type-A person, and still am, but to the point where I would struggle if anything changed in my schedule or routine. Coach has really helped me overcome that and my golf game has improved for it.
5. What will be your biggest takeaway from this current situation that you hope can better yourself and those around you?
"(Dealing with the pandemic) has really taught me to value what I have and never take it for granted. I am a planner by nature, so I am always looking to the next thing I have on my schedule. This situation has impressed upon me the value of living in the moment because the next one isn't always guaranteed."
Rapid Fire Responses
1. If you were an animal, what would you like to be? A giraffe because I've always wanted to be taller.
2. If you had one superpower, what would it be? The ability to time travel.
3. What's your favorite movie ever? Elf
4. If you could have lunch with one person alive or dead, who would it be? My great grandfather, I never got to meet.
5. What is one rule you would change in the sport that you play? I think if you are clearly in a divot in the fairway you should be able to move your ball.
6. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pasta.
7. What's your silliest fear? Bridges.
8. Beach or Mountains? Beach.
9. Nickname given to you by teammates? Cass.
10. If you had to be one cartoon character, which would you choose? Minnie Mouse.
