NOCTILUCA June 2016

SPORTS Appleton, Wisconsin June 2016 Vol. XXI

Issue III

Page 11

North alumni reflect on their current and future endeavors

By AJ Floodstrand

interfere with your academic responsibilities like going to away games and missing classes where you then have to make up the work that you missed.” While they might not miss the early morning weight sessions, NASSA, and other season responsibilities in high school; they do miss some aspects and areas from high school. Nelson misses the team at- mosphere. “Being a part of a team where everyone shares your goals and having the op- portunity to play the sports you love in your free time,” said Nelson. Floodstrand also misses the team atmosphere. “From high school, I really miss the atmo- sphere and how close almost all of the schools are, the far- thest bus drive we ever had to take was Fond du Lac, but now we have played in Iowa and Il- linois that seemingly take for- ever to get to sometimes.” Throughout their experienc- es in college, memories have been an ever going process. When asked about what their favorite memory has been thus far they did not shy away from the opportunity. As a team manager at Virginia, Austin recalls his favorite to be, See Floodstrand , page 12 5. How do you manage your schedule of class work and sports? I get a majority of my homework and studying completed during the day which is extremely impor- tant when I have multiple practices after school. I also save watching The Office for weekends. 6. For the young kids out there, what is one piece of advice that you’d like to give to them? Be grateful for the op- portunity to play sports at ANY level. It’s important to put things in perspec- tive and realize there’s more to life than wins and loses.

out it so I went back to it and I wasn’t disappointed.” Continuing their roles in college athletics does not give them any opportunity to slack off. College requires more re- sponsibility and overall man- agement. High school has a more structured routine. Be- ing able to balance academic responsibilities and athletic responsibilities is not always easy. Floodstrand strongly agrees. “For away games we end up traveling pretty far some- times which cuts into a lot of academic time so it was re- ally important to keep on top of all of the class work which meant playing a lot of catch up on class notes, keeping strong line of communication with professors and doing a lot of homework on the bus!” Nelson agrees as well. “Athletics are year-round in college, and there tend to be more instances where athletics “Sports were a very influential part of my life, and when I realized I had an op- portunity to continue working with basket- ball, I jumped at it.” - Austin Nelson 4. What is your favorite sport? My favorite sports mo- ment this year was when we beat Marshfield in the Sectional Final. It was a great feeling cutting down the net and going to State. 4. What is your favor- ite sport? Basketball. (Ball is life) 2. What do you love most about sports? My favorite thing about sports is building rela- tionships with my team- mates, and having suc- cess with them. 3. What is your favor- ite sports memory this year? 1. When did you start playing sports? I started playing basket- ball when I was 6 years old, and I started track this year as a sophomore.

In today’s busy society teenagers encounter many op- portunities. From serving as club leader to playing on the basketball team it’s clear that there are many ways to be ac- tive in the North community. But what happens after high school? Do their roles con- tinue? How do they continue? How are they different? The Noctiluca sat down with Class of 2014 graduates Elizabeth Floodstrand and Austin Nel- son. To begin, both were active in their school community. Floodstrand was a Noctiluca Photography editor and an avid orchestra member while Nelson was an active member of National Honors Society, DECA, and Link Crew. Despite their active roles in the school, they managed to continue their athletic capa- bilities. Floodstrand, a softball athlete, and Nelson, a volley- ball and basketball athlete in high school, kept up with the coursework and the demands in the gym. While they both have differ- ent academic interests, Flood- strand, a social work major at Ripon College, and Nelson, an Economic major at Virginia University, they both fit ath- letics into their busy college Senior Bo Babich 1. When did you start playing sports? I started track in 7th grade at Wilson Middle School. I started to play football when I was 8 for Pop Warner. 2. What do you love most about sports? I love the team aspect and most of all the competi- tion. 3. What is your favor- ite sports memory this year? My favorite sports mo- ment for football was competing in the Kimber- ly game my senior year and in the Hudson playoff game my Junior year. For track it was competing at state the past two years. 4. What is your favorite sport?

Elizabeth Floodstrand plays first base for Ripon College. She enjoys the aspects of balancing academics and ath- letics even though it can be challenging. Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Floodstrand

schedule. So what exactly are their roles in athletics in college? “I am a student manager for the University of Virginia men’s basketball team. I help set up for practice, participate in cer- tain drills, and help in the of- fice,” he said. Floodstrand explained her position on Rippon College’s softball team, “I’m a desig- nated hitter and first baseman. I also work with the school’s mascot, Rally the Red Hawk.” According to the National Collegiate Athletic Associa- tion website the odds of an in- dividual continuing their sport I enjoy them both, but as of now track has the slight ad- vantage. 5. How do you manage your schedule of class work and sports? I manage it by doing school work during lunch and right away at home when I come from practice. For sports the coach pretty much has the practice after school but some days we have an early morning practice or lift, so I have to cut a little bit of time off from sleeping. 6. For the young kids ou there, what is one piece of advice that you’d like to give to them? Be grateful for the opportu- nity to play sports at ANY level. It’s important to put things in perspective and realize there’s more to life than wins and loses.

is nearly one in six individuals. With the higher workload, in- creased pressures, and stress among other challenges of the college atmosphere, why did they decide to continue? “Sports were a very influen- tial part of my life, and when I realized I had an opportunity to continue working with bas- ketball, I jumped at it,” Nelson said. For Floodstrand, her path was different and a bit rocky. “I wasn’t going to play soft- ball at first and I took a year off from playing the game, but my life wasn’t the same with-

Meet the athletes of the year

Sophomore Kari Brekke

Kari Brekke. Photo by Alex Neumann

Bo Babich. Photo by Alex Neumann