The following feature was written specifically for ULMAthletics.com by the ULM sports information office. Any use of the following text, partial or otherwise, must give credit toULMAthletics.com and the ULM Sports Information Department.
Entering her final season with the Warhawks, senior Jeana Chesnik has played 20 games in the midfield after transferring from Phoenix College. A tireless worker, the Phoenix, Ariz., native provides the leadership and work ethic for the ULM soccer team and helped the squad increase its win total by three games overall and in conference last season. Chesnik stopped by ULMAthletics.com to answer a few questions about her summer.
Q: What have you been up to so far this summer?
A: I have been spending time with my family and friends and now I'm working a little bit and attending summer school.
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming season and what are you doing to ensure that you will accomplish them?
A: To be fit and to be a strong consistent player for my team. I have been working out and weightlifting with Coach [Nancy] Derrick and playing as much soccer as I can.
Q: When you aren't working to accomplish these goals, where can people find you this summer?
A: I'm in summer school, but on the weekends I'm usually hanging out with friends, at the pool or studying.
Q: Which of your teammates do you think will really surprise people next season and why?
A: That is a hard one. I think a lot of my teammates are going to surprise some people this year, but I think Tiffany Bombard is going to do really well. I'm really excited to see what she is going to do this upcoming season. This past year she really impressed me with how hard she worked on the field and against our opponents.
Q: What opponent are you most looking forward to playing this next season and why?
A: UALR. We are starting to get a real rivalry with them. In the spring we had some competitive games against them and I'm really looking forward to playing them again in season.
Q: Is there a specific reason you wear the number you wear?
A: I've always worn 17 during my college career. I grew up wearing number three, but once I signed to play soccer in college [at Phoenix College] it was already taken. I was fine with starting a new tradition of wearing 17.
Q: If you could play any other sport what would it be and why?
A: Volleyball. I played it all through high school and loved it. It conflicted with soccer so I had to stop playing, but I really enjoyed it.
Q: What has been your favorite class at ULM and why?
A: Intro to Politics. I had Dr. Sutherlin and he made the class so interesting. He was a really great teacher. He was able to explain politics in a way that the whole class would listen and enjoy.
Q: What is the funniest thing that you have heard Coach Lamb say during a match?
A: One time she told the referee before a game “Don't Mess Up.” The referee looked scared. She was serious and making it clear that today is not the day to mess with her. I thought it was pretty funny especially since it should probably have been the other way around.
Q: What are you studying at ULM and how do you intend on using your major after you graduate?
A: Deciding on a major has been the craziest thing for me, but I'm going towards business. Eventually I'd like to go to grad school, but after I'm finished I hope that I can just work for a good company in an environment where I'm happy. Hopefully I can give back somehow.
Q: Looking back at your career, what has been your favorite memory of playing soccer for ULM?
A: The best memory so far was probably the weekend we had in Florida. We played so well and we had a really big win against Florida Atlantic. I've only been here for a year so far, but I wish I could have had all four. I really like my team and it's been a lot of fun.
Quick Shots
My favorite musical artist is Kanye West.
If I could vacation anywhere, it would be Europe, New York City or L.A.
My best non-soccer talent is probably sleeping in. I'm really good at that.
The movie I am most looking forward to watching this summer is Hancock.
Raydan Phillips is my teammate who has the best chance at winning American Idol. Hands down.
I'd die if someone took my Ipod and speakers.
If I had a million dollars I would buy bigger speakers first.
I can't get “Never Know" by Jack Johnson out of my head.
I stop what I'm doing and watch The Hills every time it is on T.V.
The best gift I've ever received was a picture of me and my brothers when we were little. It reminds me every time I look at it where I come from.
The words of advice that I live by are: Never Give up.
I'm deathly afraid of cockroaches.
The cartoon character I'm most like is one of the Thundercats.
If I could have one super hero power, it would be to fly.
I've had to give up a car [I had to leave the thing at home] because the price of gas is so high.
