Meet The Polar Bears; Part 6

Hello and welcome back to another edition of Meet The Polar Bears! In this week's posting we are featuring junior Alyssa Merrick, sophomore Erin Waehner, and freshman Lauryn Zielinski. Enjoy!

Alyssa Merrick, #10, New Palestine, IN
Why did you choose ONU?
It felt like home when I visited here. The team was successful and fun to be around, and I liked the small school atmosphere. Also, I wanted to go far away from my home in New Palestine, IN—and 3 hours seemed just right when I really thought about it (I know…not that far).

What is your most memorable moment @ ONU so far?
Making it to the NCAA tournament last year and all of our funny/awkward moments we have (and there are a lot!!!).

What is your favorite thing about ONU soccer?
I like being able to compete at a top level with girls who have the passion for soccer even though they don’t get money to play. Division 3 soccer was the best decision I had ever made because of that reason. It’s nice to go out to practice and games and know that everyone on that field is playing mostly for the same reason; they love soccer and the team.

What is your favorite sport, other than soccer?
Football—the Indianapolis Colts, of course!

What word describes you the best?
Determined—I want to achieve the goals in my life and will do anything to get there.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
Take a trip across the world—visit all the places I’ve always wanted to see, pay off student loans, pay my parents back for everything, and put everything else in savings.

What is one surprising fact that not many people know about you?
I was in Show choir in high school and absolutely love to sing and do choreographed dance! (even though I’m really not a good dancer)

What is your favorite Movie?
How to Lose a Guy In 10 days. For some reason it never gets old.

What food couldn’t you live without?
Grapes

Stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you take?
I don’t want to get stuck on an island, I can’t swim!


What movie star would you choose for your movie life story?
Kate Hudson, she’s awesome!


What song has the most plays on your iPod right now?
Vultures by John Mayer

Erin Waehner, #32, Libertyville, Ill
Why did you choose ONU?
I chose ONU because it was the perfect combination of athletics and academics for me. I could get a Pharmacy degree from a really good program while still being able to participate in the sports I love. It was the best of both worlds for me. Both the pharmacy and soccer programs are very competitive which was important to me because I have such a competitive nature. I can't think of a better place for me to spend six years.

What is your most memorable moment @ ONU so far?
My most memorable moment at ONU so far was making it to the NCAAs. It was so cool to make it there my first year and with the team we had. We worked so hard to make it there and it was awesome to make it. Next time we just need to win the whole thing!!

What is your favorite thing about ONU soccer?
My favorite part of ONU soccer is the team. I love all of my teammates. They are definitely my family away from home. Everyone gets along so well and they keep everything fun.

Where would you like to be in 5 years?
In five years, I will just be graduating! I hope that I will have a pediatric pharmacy residency at a good hospital possibly somewhere warm! In 10 years I would like to have a growing family and to really be settled down somewhere being a successful pharmacist.

What is your favorite sport, other than soccer?
Basketball! I have played it all my life and this year will be the first year I don’t play! I will miss it a lot but hopefully our intramural team will win a ton of games this year!

What is one surprising fact that not many people know about you?
How competitive I actually am with everything! If I lose at anything even like a game of cards I get really mad.

What is your favorite Movie (include movie quote!)
Holiday in the Sun…the Mary-Kate and Ashley movie! It’s my favorite because I was at the Atlantis Resort while it was being a shot and am possibly in a one second clip during a pool scene!
Alex- “That one's ready for marriage.”
Madison “How do you know?”
Alex “Pierced ear. He knows pain and he's bought jewelry.”

What food couldn’t you live without?
Ice cream! My mom said that she has saved a ton of money since I have been gone because she didn’t have to buy ice cream every week. It’s a very good thing MAC has a soft serve machine.

Lauryn Zielinski, #20, Springboro, OH
Where would you like to be in 5 years?
In five years I hope to be done with my undergraduate in Pre-medicine. And I would really love to be in a Spanish speaking country doing medical missions work as well as continuing to study for med school.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery I would take a lot of the money and take trips around the world visiting my friends and doing missions trips. Most of the remaining money I would give to research a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

What is your favorite Movie (include movie quote!)
My favorite movie is Titanic hands down! I used to watch it multiple times a week and I am completely obsessed with it. Favorite quote from the movie...hmm I don’t know if I can pick one quote, but my favorite scene is when they stand at the front of the ship and kiss for the first time.

What food couldn’t you live without?
I would have to say chocolate, peanut butter, and coffee!

What song has the most plays on your iPod right now?
Embarrassingly... probably Your Love is My Drug.