Soccer | 8/25/2020 9:33:00 AM
|
TOUCH & GO Major: plans to major in biologyFavorite hobby: wakeboarding/wakesurfing Favorite musical artist: Morgan Wallen, Bazzi Favorite movie: The Blind Side Favorite pro team: U.S. Women's National Team Favorite athlete: Julie Ertz Favorite meal: pizza Hidden talent: making tongue into three-leaf clover Biggest fear: snakes Person you'd most like to meet: Blake Lively Dream vacation spot: Atlantis Sport you'd like to try: volleyball |
Continuing this week, we have freshman forward Josie Wood of Columbus, Ga. During her time as a three-year letterwinner for head coach Catherine Lovin, Wood was named the 2018 All-City Offensive Player of the Year as well as earning Second Team All-City honors in 2017. As a senior in 2019, Wood reached the final four of the AAAA State Playoffs with Columbus High School en route to a 20-2-0 record.
Having also competed for Birmingham United Soccer Association, where she served as team captain from 2018-19, Wood reached the Elite Clubs National League National Playoffs three consecutive years from 2015-17. In 2017, Birmingham United finished second in the Southeast ECNL Conference.
Although Wood is participating in her first training camp as a Division I student-athlete, college athletics have been a major component in her family for quite some time. Wood's grandfather, Dave, played college football, while her mother was a collegiate diver and her father competed in ice hockey. Now, it is Wood bringing her athletic talents to the collegiate realm as part of the Gopher Soccer family.
Gopher Sports: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Wood: "After coming to campus for the first time two summers ago, I just instantly loved it. The coaches were all super personable. They made an effort to get to know you as a person alongside recruiting me as a player. I could definitely see the team chemistry, even being on the outside, and since I've been here, it's been even more than what I expected. I knew this was definitely a place that would help me grow both on and off the field and it feels like everyone has your back. You're instantly part of a new family when you join the team."
GS: Being from the Southeast, how did Minnesota get on your radar?
Wood: "When I first joined ECNL, I looked more into playing college soccer and for the most part, I looked sort of in the Southeast. But, my parents both went here at some point, at the U, and a lot of my family lives up here, so I think that's what sparked me initially, looking up here for school. Once I came to camp here, I just instantly loved it. It was always at the top of my list… I wouldn't have chosen anywhere else. I definitely love it."
GS: What was it like being raised in a family with a diverse athletic background?
Wood: "My family is really competitive as is. Even just small games that we play, they're always pretty competitive which makes it fun. My immediate family, like my sister, brother, dad and mom – we've all kind of been competitive too, because my sister and my brother both played soccer. We've all competed with each other and that's helped us all to get better. I never followed in my mom's footsteps with diving because I personally don't even really know how to dive as is, so I was never an amazing swimmer, either. It's not something I really ever loved to do, but soccer definitely was."
GS: When did you first start playing soccer and when did you know that you wanted to compete collegiately?
Wood: "When I was six, I started playing rec soccer, which is always super fun when you're just learning how to play. I started playing club when I was 10 and I loved that because it incorporated the travel aspect, going to different places for games and getting to compete in tournaments – that was always super fun. I knew I wanted to play college soccer the first season I started playing ECNL. ECNL, as a whole, was just a new level from all of the previous leagues I had played in and made me really fall in love with the game. I knew soccer was something I didn't want to let go of at that point and wanted to continue to get better at so that I could play at that higher level."
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
Wood: "I ran track in middle school, which I actually loved. When I was younger, I liked running a lot, especially short distance. I really enjoyed track just because it's more geared towards what event you want to do or what event you're good at."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength as a player?
Wood: "One of my biggest strengths is my knowledge of the game, whether it's thinking of plays to make or recognizing when something is either working or not working. I think observing and reflecting on what I'm seeing is not only something I like to do, but I would also consider it a strength."
GS: What is one thing you're hoping to improve on this year?
Wood: "Just comfort on the ball and confidence. Coming into a Big Ten school, at first it's super intimidating. You're surrounded by amazing players and I think being more comfortable and relaxed would help me to play better than overthinking and coming up with different things in my head. I'd really just like to work on composure and being comfortable on the ball."
GS: What is the most memorable moment of your soccer career so far?
Wood: "The most memorable moment was probably when my club team went to Nationals in Seattle. I think it was two summers ago. I always love going to ECNL showcases because you get to play teams from all over the country, but that year we played some really good teams and it was super fun because I feel like we played some of our best soccer. Also, just travelling across the country was super, super fun and I thought Seattle was beautiful."
GS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Wood: "I don't know if this is considered a ritual, but I do always listen to pump-up music. I feel like that's something a lot of people do, but I think that's the only thing that I would call a ritual or a habit, maybe."
GS: Who has been your biggest mentor or inspiration throughout your career?
Wood: "Personally, I don't think it's one person. It was probably my team growing up, my club team. Just going to practice and games, they always pushed me to be better no matter what we were doing. We all grinded together through it all, so just going through the whole process with them and developing into the player that I am, I don't think I could have done it without them. If I had to pick one person, I would say I've always kind of looked up to Julie Ertz. We don't play the same position, but what stood out to me about her was her grit and determination. I feel like she's such a rock on any team she plays for and I just love to watch her play."
GS: What advice do you have for aspiring youth athletes?
Wood: "Always give it your all. You never know who's watching. Always work your hardest, push yourself to be the best you can be and just enjoy it while you're doing it. A big part of what you're doing is for the joy that it brings you, so I would also say just make sure you still love the game."
GS: What are your goals as Gopher Soccer player?
Wood: "Long-term, just to contribute to the team's success overall in any way that I can. This team, to me, has so much potential to be great and I do think that we are great, but anything I can do to add to that greatness is something I look forward to bringing out."
GS: How have the first few weeks of training with the team gone?
Wood: "So far, I've fallen in love with it. I love my teammates in general. I think the coaches have super helpful points that they bring out in practice and I think that the environment is super competitive, but it has a nice balance of also being really, really fun. I've really enjoyed it and I can tell that everyone here cares so much about the program, so I love that part, too."
GS: What are your aspirations for after college soccer?
Wood: "I'm kind of Biology-undecided, but one thing I'm interested in right now before going into school is dermatology. If that could work out, that would be awesome, but I also haven't taken classes here yet."
Follow Women's Soccer
Women's Soccer Tickets
Support Women's Soccer
"wood" - Google News
August 25, 2020 at 10:19PM
https://ift.tt/34vXxWZ
Newcomer Spotlight: Josie Wood - University of Minnesota Athletics - GopherSports.com
"wood" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3du6D7I
No comments:
Post a Comment