JackChat with Chelsea Bednarz

in Sports by Chuck Constantino — September 19, 2011 at 9:59 pm | no comments

The Lumberjack had the opportunity to sit down with NAU soccer senior forward Chelsea Bednarz. After a slow start to the season, Bednarz and the Lumberjacks beat Embry-Riddle 3–1 to earn their first victory of the year. In our conversation with Chelsea, she mentioned her celebrity crush, shared red card memories and expressed her thoughts on the new Lumberjack Stadium.

The Lumberjack: So, Chelsea, how was your summer?

Chelsea Bednarz: It was good. I just trained all summer long and I did rehab on my knee to get it back for our season. It is already now, and it’s going well.

LJ: Did you catch any of the World Cup?

CB: I did. It was a little disappointing, the game against Japan, because I thought the U.S. had in it in the bag. They choked a little bit, but I thought Japan deserved to win just because of the bad year they had. So, I was happy for them.

LJ: What’s your favorite movie?

CB: That’s tough. Just off the top of my head, I really like Forrest Gump. I like The Blind Side. It’s always motivating watching those before games and stuff.

LJ: Any movies you do watch before games?

CB: No, but I do like to watch these certain YouTube clips. There’s an ‘I am a champion’ speech and an ‘I’ll show you how great I am’ speech.

LJ: Who is your celebrity crush?

CB: I guess I’ll go with Twilight‘s Taylor Lautner.

LJ: You transferred here from Santa Clara. How was that experience?

CB: I love it here; I’m really glad I transferred. I wanted to go kind of closer to home so my parents can come watch the games. And the coaching staff and team just brought me in; its like we’re family pretty much.

LJ: Which campus do you like better?

CB: I really like this campus. Its kind of different because you get to experience all four seasons here and there [Santa Clara] it is 60-70 degrees all the time, which is really nice. It’s pretty there but I like the snow too.

LJ: Do you snowboard at all?

CB: No, I never have, but I’d like to learn. I hear there are tons of risk with injury.

LJ: Who is your favorite athlete and why?

CB: I really have a lot of respect for Michelle Akers. I don’t know if a lot of people know who she is. She played in the 1999 World Cup. She’s had 26 surgeries in her career and has dealt with chronic fatigue. I just think it’s pretty awesome how she kept going even with all those obstacles.

LJ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete?

CB: When I got to go to Japan with the U16 National team, because that was really cool. I never got to play outside the country before and it was a really fun experience getting to know the other culture[s] there. Just putting on that U.S. jersey was pretty cool.

LJ: You are pursuing a major in advertising with a minor in sociology.  What are you going to do with that?

CB: I could go into sports advertising; that’d be really fun. Or I’m looking into becoming a wedding or event planner because I really like that kind of thing and I like looking at those kinds of magazines and shows.

LJ: Any pregame superstitions?

CB: I always put on my right shoe before my left shoe. I tie them a certain way as well.

LJ: Any funny stories on receiving some red cards?

CB: When I was 16, I got a red card for cussing at a girl, then I kicked her legs as hard as I could, then she totally ate it and started crying. The ref just ejected me from the game.

LJ: So I take it they saw?

CB: It was a bad moment for me.

LJ: What do you think of the new Lumberjack Stadium and the new locker room?

CB: Oh my god, its amazing. It’s more than I than I could have asked for. When we have a Friday night game at seven and there is the sunset over the stadium . . . it’s just pretty amazing. The locker room is huge, and we have a Foosball table, a ping pong table, a few couches and huge TVs. Its pretty much a mansion in there.

LJ: Sounds like you guys never have to leave, except for class.

CB: Yeah, our coaches get mad if we stay too long.

LJ: You’re number 16. Why is that?

CB: When I was younger, I was number four and one. I kind of switched every year. Then, I got assigned number 16 when I played for Sereno. Ever since then, it has been the lucky number.

LJ: Did you pick up surfing at Santa Clara?

CB: I didn’t pick it up there, but I know how to surf from previous vacations. I’d love to go to the beach and surf sometime soon.

LJ: What other sports do you like to watch other than soccer?

CB: I like football, and I really like watching gymnastics. It’s not on very much, but those girls and guys are super talented. I also like to watch basketball.

LJ: Which NAU sport do you support the most?

CB: I like going to the volleyball games because those girls usually support us a lot.

LJ: Where is your favorite place to eat in Flag?

CB: I really like Beaver Street Brewery. Whenever my parents are in town, I always ask to go there.

LJ: Who is the best dancer on the team?

CB: I would definitely say Sam [Monahan]. She’s got some cool little moves. I’ll say Jennie [Beaudoin] too. She’s got some interesting, quirky moves that are very entertaining.

LJ: Who is the goofball in the locker room?

CB: I always like watching Sarah Tarver because she’s in her own little world. I’d also say Alana [D' Onofrio] and Jennie are definite goofballs.