Lakeland University Athletics

I am currently a 5th year senior graduating in May with a double major in Education (K-9) and Music Performance with a Vocal emphasis.    

 

This past week I accepted a position in the Sheboygan Area School District as a 2nd Grade teacher! I am so excited to officially have my own classroom. I can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of my future students.     

 

Having grown up in the Sheboygan area, Lakeland University has always been a part of my life. In elementary school, I attended Lakeland’s summer football camps. In middle school, I also participated in the final year of the Nelson Feller Tennis Camp. When the time came to choose a college, I had many meaningful conversations with Lakeland’s vocal professor Emily Alvarez. In my conversations with Professor Alvarez, she talked about how attending Lakeland offers many different opportunities that can’t be accessed at other universities. So, when making the decision for where I wanted to further my education, Lakeland was my clear number one choice.    

 

If I could pick any professional tennis player to be my doubles partner, it would have to be Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios is a feisty and super competitive player. His on the court antics are always unpredictable and a bit crazy. Although we probably wouldn’t win, I think he would make the match super entertaining!     

 

You already played four years of tennis before this year, and the program was temporarily halted after last season. What were your thoughts on the program being reinstated? Where you excited to play again in your fifth season? 

Coming into this school year, I was unsure whether Lakeland would have a Men’s Tennis Team or not. When I received word that we would be playing, it brought excitement and anticipation. Playing the sport that I have loved for one more year has been amazing; and I’m so excited I had the opportunity to finish my Lakeland experience on the courts. 

 

This first season under Coach Mitch has been a bit of a roller coaster. Prior to arriving at Lakeland, Coach Mitch was unaware of the Men’s Tennis Team being halted. So, without help from the conference, he had to scramble to put together a team AND schedule all our matches. From an outsider's perspective, this season may seem like a letdown, with only a handful of matches. However, I believe that this season has been a huge step in the right direction for the tennis program. Coach Mitch has brought such a refreshing new vibe to the team’s culture. His positive personality has cultivated not only amazing team spirit, but quiet confidence as well. Many of our players are seniors this year, which means the team will look quite different next year. However, the incoming recruits for next season will make the team as competitive as it ever has been in my five years at Lakeland. 

 

As the team’s #1 player this season, I have certainly faced challenges competing with players that play and take lessons year-round. Even though I know that winning my match may be a struggle, I still go into every game with the mentality that I can compete.   

 

Music has been a passion throughout my 23 years of life. When deciding what to study in school, I knew whatever it was, it had to include music. The music program at Lakeland has given me the opportunity to grow as a vocalist, meet amazing people, and compete and succeed at the highest vocal performance level. In the fall semester, I was able to place first in the NATS statewide collegiate singing competition. I think my experience playing tennis against tougher opponents helped me bring a strong mindset to competing on the stage instead of on the court. In addition to my studies as a singer, I have also performed in musicals at Lakeland, with Theater for Young Audiences, and with the Sheboygan Theater Company. I hope to continue performing after college. I know that Lakeland has given me the tools to do so.