Friday Spotlight Series: Annika Carlson, Chapman Track & Field
Friday Spotlight Series: Annika Carlson, Chapman Track & Field
--Courtesy of Chapman Athletics--
Picture this: you're a student-athlete who just finished practice for the day and you're headed home to get some much needed rest. Sounds relaxing and fulfilling, right?
For Chapman student-athlete Annika Carlson, all she has time for after morning lacrosse practice is to change into running shoes to hit the track in hopes to prepare for her next meet.
Carlson, a sophomore communications major from Tiburon, Calif, competes on three teams at Chapman, cross country in the fall, and both women's lacrosse and track & field during the spring.
"I do lacrosse practice, a run and a lift," Carlson said of her daily schedule. "Everyone has a busy schedule. I also take time to take care of myself mentally and physically."
During the week, Carlson's lacrosse practice conflicts with her track practice, so she finds time to work on her distance training on her own accord. Clearly this hasn't slowed her down as she placed first in the steeplechase at SCIAC #2 on April 1.
"I had zero experience doing the steeplechase, so I was just trying it out," Carlson said. "I really liked it. For me it's more engaging than just running in circles with the hurdles and the water."
She's no slouch on the lacrosse field either as she leads the team in goals at 26 and has started in all 10 games as a midfielder for the Panthers.
The most rewarding part of college athletics for Carlson is the team aspect, and each of her sports offers a different, yet fulfilling, environment for success and friendship.
"For cross country there's a team environment…seeing progress in numbers is really cool," she said. "My favorite aspects of lacrosse are the physicality and technique…having stick skills and speed, but also working as a unit is so essential. Then at Track & Field the energy is unmatched. The whole Chapman team gets on one curve and chants 'Chapman' it's this insane energy."
But the combination of these three teams makes up one athletic community which Carlson can't help but be thrilled to be a part of.
"Having three different communities is really nice. Walking around campus and the athletic building seeing friendly faces you can wave to, it's a nice community," Carlson said.
Follow the SCIAC on Twitter (@theSCIAC), Facebook (@SCIAC), and Instagram (@thesciac) with hashtags #SCIACtion and #SoCalSoGood. Watch most SCIAC games, matches, and meets online via mobile devices and on OTT apps - Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android - search for 'SCIAC' and download the channel.