Tracy Olson

By Shawna Carpentier
UWRF Sports Information

Falcon junior Tracy Olson has been playing for the Falcon soccer team for three years now and Coach Sean McKuras says she is, "a true athlete; she's fast, agile and physical."

McKuras first saw Olson play as a junior for Rosemount High School. McKuras recruited Olson as a senior "I liked her as a player, but once I met her, she is a great person," says McKuras, "the kind of person that makes your team better."

Olson starts for the Falcon soccer team as an outside defender and helps to direct the team defensively. McKuras believes that Olson closely resembles Tony Sanneh , a member of the United States men's National team, as a "smooth-styled" soccer player. Olson is credited as one of the reasons the Falcon soccer team has been successful. McKuras says Olson "believes in making our team better."

Last year Olson helped to lead the Falcons to the team's first win over Stevens Point in the history of the soccer program. Olson assisted on the winning goal and that snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Pointers.

In the mean time, Olson and her teammates are working to prepare for one of their hardest games of the season against WIAC competitor Eau Claire. Eau Claire is undefeated in WIAC play in the 2006 season so far and Olson says it will be "our biggest game so far."

If it Wasn't for a Joke, She Might Have Never Played

Olson has been playing soccer for as long as she can remember but it was just as a neighborhood sport at first. It was not until a neighborhood friend bet her that she was better than she was that Olson began seeing soccer as a competitive sport. From that point on Olson liked soccer and has been playing ever since.  

A captain of her high school's soccer team in her junior and senior years, Olson earned all-conference honors. She says that even though her high school soccer team did not win many games, she still had fun playing the game. "It is a complicated sport, when everything is meshing well it is probably the most fun sport to watch and play," says Olson about soccer.

When it came to college soccer Olson knew that she wanted to play but she did not know if she would get the chance. Not only does Olson play, but she is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, as the secretary and a representative for soccer.

"If you're gonna do it , go for it all out, talk to people and try to get involved," advises Olson.

Being a member of the soccer team has been a positive experience for Olson. She enjoys winning games and coaches who "capitalize" on what the team needs to work on.  

Soccer can be challenging according to Olson. Olson says soccer is "mentally tough" and that it is important that "you can handle criticism." Being able to play consistent is also a key, the Falcon soccer team has many players who do not have subs and are out on the field for 45 minutes.

McKuras says Olson's consistency in every category of soccer has been one of her "difficulties." Because Olson is a well-rounded player and good at everything, she has missed out on WIAC recognition up to this point. However, this does not stop Olson from "excelling at all parts of the game," says McKuras.

A Student, an Athlete, and a Big Sister

A social work major, Olson describes being a student-athlete as "definitely difficult," and although she has 8 a.m., classes everyday, she says soccer helps her to manage her time by keeping her on a "strict schedule." Time management is important and reading instead of watching movies during the long bus rides to and from soccer games is a way Olson manages to get her work done.

Olson also manages to make time to be a "big sister" as a member of the Big Brother, Big Sister program. She devotes at least one hour a week to eat lunch and play at recess with her little sister. Olson shares that her little sister is a "hard working and caring individual."

"She is Fun," According to Her Coach and She Likes to Have Fun Too

"If I could I would live off of Doritos and Diet Coke," admits Olson.  

Olson enjoys competing with her team and many of them play intramural sports together. Those people who have not seen her play soccer can catch Olson playing basketball, broomball or co-ed softball. "I have always played a lot of sports," she says.

"The cool kids," a name given to Olson and a group of her teammates by McKuras, prepares for every game with a simple routine. Olson and her "cool kids" all wear sweatbands on their arms and before every game they make sure, they "hit [their] sweat bands together."  

Olson's personality is also reflected in her passion for singing. She use to be in choir and musicals and is a big fan of the "shower radio."

If she could, Olson would love to have the opportunity to travel anywhere, but she says, "I do want to go to France."

She is the daughter of Jeff and Judy Olson. She has an older sister, Amy, and a nine- year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Sparky who is just like a part of the Olson family.

"My parents are my No. 1 fans and they would drive or fly where ever they need to go to cheer on their girls," exclaims Olson. She says that the fans and parents of the soccer team are "amazing" and that they never miss any of the games. According to Olson, "that's pretty special."

She sees herself playing soccer on a woman's league team after college and Olson feels that soccer is "magical to be a part of."