Bre Olsen, a first-year member of the lacrosse team, has brought underrated comedy and a great work ethic to the team. She has stepped up and had her share of big plays - even scoring a goal while playing defense.

It was my pleasure to interview her:

DB: "First, even though we are teammates, could you tell me about yourself? Where are you from and why did you choose Centre?"

BO: "I’m from Minnesota so I suppose it is fitting that lakes are my favorite thing ever and I enjoy any variety of outdoor activity. My parents are my biggest supporters and role models in every aspect of life. I have an older and younger sister who are both some of my closest friends. My decision to come to Centre was definitely a scary one because I was worried about being so far away from my family, but it’s a decision I have never regretted. I actually first found out about Centre on a fluke (literally I think I could probably count on one hand the number of people that know about Centre from MN). I was at a college fair for “40 Colleges That Change Lives” and had the intentions of talking with representatives from schools closer to home but, of course, they all had the longest lines. The lady at the Centre booth seemed quite bored as the space in front of her table stayed vacant. I felt bad for her so I decided to feign interest and inquire about this tiny school in horse-land (that was the extent of my knowledge about Kentucky). Needless to say, I’m so grateful for that impulsive decision because it lead to me finding the most perfect place to spend the next four years."

DB: "What is your year and your major at Centre?"

BO: "I’m currently a first year at Centre. I’m planning on double majoring in behavioral neuroscience and anthropology/ sociology with a minor in psychology."

DB: "When did you start playing lacrosse?"

BO: "I started playing lacrosse my freshman year of high school on another impulsive decision because the program was trying to expand an they needed more girls. I literally showed up to the first day of tryouts having never touched a stick before."

DB: "Why did you choose to continue playing in college?"

BO: "My senior year of high school I had convinced myself that I would not play a sport in college. Anyone who knows me knows that I stress (or rather, spaz) excessively about my school work and I didn’t want to overwhelm myself in college like I had a pattern of doing in high school. However, when I came to school in the fall and met coach and some of the older girls on the team, I couldn’t imagine not being a part of such an amazing community."

DB: "Are you happy with your decision to continue playing in college?"

BO: "Am I happy with my decision? Absolutely. Lacrosse has been an awesome way for me to force myself away from studying all day/ night/ weekend away in the warehouse (my sacred study spot). But more importantly, it has given me the opportunity to become so close with so many amazing women. The connections and memories I have made with them are unforgettable and definitely highlight my first year experience at Centre."

DB: "What is the biggest difference between high school and college lacrosse?"

BO: "The overall physicality of the game definitely picks up a lot in college but I think the biggest difference I have noticed is that in college, but CWL in particular, we play as a team. It’s a group of superstars supporting superstars. No one person is trying to steal the show but rather we are all working together to highlight each other’s strengths and that was definitely something that was lacking on my high school team."

DB: "What has been your fondest memory involving lacrosse at Centre?"

BO: "It’s so hard to pick just one but one memory in particular really stands out because it was the moment I realized how special this group of women and our coach really is: the holiday party at coach’s house. It was such a great bonding experience filled with lots of memories and laughs and it really showed how incredibly awesome coach is and the unbelievably positive and supportive community she has been able to create with this team."

DB: "What has been the most difficult part about this experience?"

BO: "It definitely hasn’t always been easy balancing lacrosse with school so that has to be the most difficult part of being on the team, but at the end of the day everyone at Centre is so supportive and I have definitely been able to embrace the role of a student-athlete with the support of incredibly understanding professors and coaches."

DB: "Do you have any regrets?"

BO: "I can confidently say that I have not always appreciated my decision to be rather unproductive while traveling to and from away games on more than one occasion, especially when the result is a night without sleep and plenty of unchecked boxes in my planner. But hey, sometimes you just gotta take one for the team."

DB: "What has been the most rewarding part about being a college athlete?"

BO: "Hands down the memories and friendships I have formed on this team are some that I know I will cherish forever. The older girls on the team have been some of the best mentors both on the field, in the classroom, and simply in life. We put in a lot of time and hard work together and being able to share some big wins with them has really helped make all the work seem worth it; it’s been great to be able to watch the humble manner in which they celebrate our success."

DB: "What are your hopes for the team for the remainder of the year?"

BO: "I just hope that we can keep extending our season as long as possible. When the time comes that we play our last game, I hope we can walk away knowing we gave it our all and hopefully we will all be able to see and appreciate how far this team has come this year."

DB: "And for yourself?"

BO: "I want to be a great teammate and to take advantage of the short time we have left with two amazing seniors. I look up to them so much and want to learn as much as I can before they graduate and move on with their bright futures."

DB: "And finally, if you could offer a piece of advice to the CWL athletes who will follow you, what would you say?"

BO: "Never take anything for granted. You are so incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to play the sport you love. Don’t lose sight of the reason you started playing and never forget to thank the people who have helped get you to where you are and supported you on the way."

The Colonels return to action on Sunday, May 1 to battle Rhodes for the Conference Championship title. The no.1 seed Colonels host the no.2 seed Lynx at the South Turf at 1pm. Come out to support Bre and the rest of the Colonels in their pursuit for the title!