BEREA, Ohio - Get to know senior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference defender Jenny Burdick (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca). This season, Burdick has appeared in and started 11 games, helping the Yellow Jacket defense to a 0.84 goals against average.
How did you get started in your soccer career?
My soccer career started later than most. I did not start playing soccer until I was 11 or 12 years old. I had recently moved, and my parents wanted me to be involved in the new area that we lived in. I originally decided to play soccer because my dad played when he was younger and both of my older brothers were playing at that time. I thought it would be fun to have us all play the sport. After a season of playing, I decided to continue playing because I enjoyed the sport and enjoyed that I could share it with my family.
If you could have dinner with one professional athlete (living or dead), who would it be and why?
I would have to say that I would want to go to dinner with Julie Johnston. The reason I pick her is strictly because I think she is a hard worker and keeps a good, positive attitude before, during and after the games. She has always been one of the players on the Women's USA team who I thought was respectful to herself, her team and her country.
If you could pick one super power, what would it be and why?
If I could pick one super power, I would pick the power to teleport. I personally believe that traveling is a key to success because traveling gives you the experience and the knowledge of other cultures. This experience and knowledge would provide you a better opportunity to work with others who are from different places. The one problem I have with traveling is the amount of time it takes to get places; therefore, if I could teleport, I would not have to worry about getting places, I could just learn from the new places.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
The best piece of advice I have received was to focus on what I can control. Most of the time in life, you will not be able to control everything around you so the important part is to control yourself and your mind. Control the effort you put into things, control the emotions and body language shown during events, control you. Do not focus on what others have the control over.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could take a trip anywhere in the world, I would go to Greece. This is because Greece has so much variety in what can be seen. In parts, there are beaches and other beautiful landscapes. But then in others, the history can be seen for miles.
