ESU Athletes Fight Like Warriors: Kate Conklin interviews four athletes at ESU

Brandi Smith Photo Credit / esuwarriors.com

by Kate Conklin
SC Staff Writer

East Stroudsburg University is home to many of the best Division II athletes in the country. These student-athletes fight like Warriors should, and they make their school proud. They train year round while maintaining good grades. A full schedule of classes and hours of practice every day requires extreme dedication. So, what drives these athletes? What makes them tick? What are their goals and aspirations? Four ESU athletes, Duane Johnson, Brielle Kessel, Brandi Smith, and Kyle Soden, answer these questions and more

Brandi Smith Photo Credit / esuwarriors.com

ESU junior Brandi Smith, a Recreation & Leisure Services Management major, plays on the Warriors Women’s Lacrosse team.

Kate Conklin: Why did you start playing lacrosse?
Brandi Smith: I started in sixth grade. I was one of only two sixth graders to make the team (everyone else was older). I started playing because my sister played in college, and my parents said they’d get me a dog if I tried out.
KC: What motivates you to play?
BS: Meeting people and I love being committed to a team; it’s like a college family.
KC: Who/ what is your greatest influence when it comes to your sport?
BS: My older sister Kelly is definitely my biggest influence. She never played until college. Kelly broke all of the scoring records at Susquehanna.
KC: What made you decide to play in college?
BS: I played field hockey my freshman year but realized it wasn’t for me when I couldn’t stop having dreams about lacrosse. I missed it so much and decided to play my sophomore year. I realized that it was my true passion.
KC: If you had to play a different sport, what would it be?
BS: Field Hockey, I played in high school and one year in college.
KC: What is your favorite hobby, besides lacrosse?
BS: Eating, I love trying new unique foods.
KC: What is your greatest achievement so far in your sports career?
BS: Starting this year in college.
KC: What is your ultimate goal?
BS: I want to start next year and be a main contributor in scoring.
KC: What are your plans after graduation?
BS: Ultimately, I would love to move south and open my own gym.
KC: The hardest thing about being a student-athlete is….
It takes up a lot of time. If you’re not 100% committed it will be hell.

Duane Johnson Photo Credit / esuwarriors.com

ESU junior Duane Johnson, a Sports Management major, plays on the Warriors Basketball team.

Kate Conklin: Why did you start playing basketball?
DJ: My dad put a ball in my hand when I was seven month old on the fisher price court.
KC: What motivates you to play?
DJ: Money, incentives, the future to play overseas.
KC: Who/ what is your greatest influence when it comes to your sport?
DJ: My dad, he says he was good back in the day. He has trophies from high school, but I’m sure I’m better than he was in his prime.
KC: What made you decide to play in college?
DJ: Money and to further my career, college is practice for the future to me.
KC: If you had to play a different sport, what would it be?
DJ: Football. I’d be a wide receiver, but I’d have to bulk up.
KC: What is your favorite hobby, besides basketball?
DJ: Video games.
KC: What is your greatest achievement so far in your sports career?
DJ: Winning the 4A state championship my senior year of high school.
KC: What is your ultimate goal?
DJ: To go Pro.
KC: What are your plans after graduation?
DJ: I want to play overseas and have a successful seven-year career. Then really start my life after and become a coach.
KC: The hardest thing about being a student-athlete is….
DJ: Balancing school and basketball and trying to be very successful at both.

Kyle Soden Photo Credit / esuwarriors.com

Junior Kyle Soden, a Health and Physical Education major, competes on Warriors Track & Field (High Jump).

Kate Conklin: When did you start high jumping?
Kyle Soden: In the third grade.
KC: What motivates you to play?
KS: The challenge to improve.
KC: Who/ what is your greatest influence when it comes to your sport?
KS: Honestly, myself. I am my biggest influence because I always strive for improvement and push myself to my limits. My dad got me into high jumping though, he told me about it.
KC: What made you decide to play in college?
KS: I knew I wanted to perform at the next level.
KC: If you had to play a different sport, what would it be?
KS: Tennis.
KC: What is your favorite hobby, besides high jumping?
KS: Video games and bike riding.
KC: What is your greatest achievement so far in your sports career?
KS: Probably winning PSACs (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference).
KC: What is your ultimate goal?
KS: I want to make it to nationals, and if I achieve that, to become an All-American.
KC: What are your plans after graduation?
KS: I want to teach, coach track, and be an inspiration to kids.
KC: The hardest thing about being a student-athlete is….
KS: Pushing yourself to always do your best when it comes to both track and schoolwork.

Bielle Kessel Photo Credit / esuwarriors.com

ESU sophomore Brielle Kessel, a Health and Physical Education major, plays on the Warriors Field Hockey team.

Kate Conklin: Why did you start playing field hockey?
Brielle Kessel: Seventh grade, my mom played in college.
KC: What motivates you to play?
BK: The friends that I’ve made through the teams I have been on, staying in shape, and it’s fun!
KC: Who/ what is your greatest influence when it comes to your sport?
BK: My mom.
KC: What made you decide to play in college?
BK: I decided to play in college because my parents really encouraged me that I could do it. It was also my favorite sport in high school out of the three that I played.
KC: If you had to play a different sport, what would it be?
BK: Soccer, I played in high school.
KC: What is your favorite hobby, besides field hockey?
BK: I love just hanging out with my friends and going to the movies.
KC: What is your greatest achievement so far in your sports career?
BK: Making the travel team as a freshman.
KC: What is your ultimate goal?
BK: Win PSACs next year. If we achieve that, then the national championship.
KC: What are your plans after graduation?
BK: I want to be a teacher, but eventually I really want to be a college professor.
KC: The hardest thing about being a student-athlete is….
BK: Preseason!

These four East Stroudsburg athletes know the meaning of hard work in so many aspects of their lives. They train year round and take fifteen credits on top of it. One thing they all have in common is that they all want to stay involved with physical activities as they plan their career paths. Duane, Brandi, Kyle, and Brielle are great role models and plan to do great things in the future.

Email Kate at:
kmc0536@live.esu.edu