10 SECONDS with Leah Swanson
Justin Siewierski
Sports Editor
Iasked senior Leah Swanson if she would let me interview her for this week’s installment of :10 Seconds. I got an enthusiastic yes, and as I awaited her response, I got an email from her with a link showing me her pre-game warm up. A line from Eric Thomas’s speech stuck out to me while I was listening; “If you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” It might have been one of the most powerful things I’ve ever heard, and it proved to me that picking Swanson was a great choice.
In my time here, there hasn’t been anyone more fun to watch in women’s sports than senior soccer captain Leah Swanson. A marketing manager from Atkinson, New Hampshire, Swanson has been a shining light in Plymouth’s defense. In her most recent game, Swanson scored her first conference goal of the season and stepped up her overall play against rival Keene State. As we progress into the rest of the season, Swanson looks to be the all-around player she’s proved to be thus far.
I hate asking, but what was the knee injury, and is it still a factor?
I tore my ACL a couple years back before I had transferred back to PSU. I had injured that knee so many times and being the stubborn person I am I avoided the doctor. I rehabbed it myself before I knew that it was torn, but because I couldn’t do any lateral movements I knew something was up and I had to get it looked at. I got an MRI to confirm it was torn, but only for the doctor to tell me I had a 50/50 chance the surgery would work. I knew I had 2 months before I tried out for the team as a sophomore and there wasn’t time to put it on hold. So I never got the surgery and I still haven’t, but I also don’t have any pain or achiness. I went with just buying a brace to give me that support I needed because I needed to play and that is what I’ve done for as long as I’ve played here. It doesn’t affect my game because I’ve learned to deal with it.
When did you first start playing soccer?
I started playing when I was 5 years old and I have only taken one year off my entire life. That same year was also the worst because this sport is my outlet, no matter the outcome.
What do you feel were some of your biggest soccer accomplishments at Plymouth?
I would say making the LEC tournament last year as a junior captain. That was a huge moment for me. But it really has always been a dream to be a captain as a college athlete, it’s a role I love and take seriously because this game means a lot to me.
How are you preparing for homecoming this year against Southern Maine?
We are going to play like any other game and put forth our efforts into a win. We will train hard and get our rest and just be the athletes we are in order to come up with the W. We have small things to work on, but nonetheless I have no doubt we won’t accomplish them.
PHOTO BY/PHOTO COURTESY: PLYMOUTH STATE ATHLECTICS
How do you feel about your team in comparison to the rest of the LEC? We have a lot of heart on this team and a lot of people exhausting themselves incredibly and I think that’s what I love about it. We work hard and we push each other past the limit. And we focus on ourselves because that’s what matters. We don’t pay attention to records or points because all that matters is that we play our game and show up ready to play.
What's your pre-game warm up routine?
As a team we blare music in our locker room, but I generally zone out to focus on what I want. And listening to speeches from Eric Thomas, there is always a line that just sticks in my head; “when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.” And that’s basically on repeat until game time.
How is the team moving forward from the Keene State game?
It’s something we move forward with and right now we have other games to focus on. It’s a learning point for us but we will fix our organization and improve it for our next opponents.
How hard is it being a student athlete?
It was very difficult for me when I first started here as a sophomore, because classes would conflict with games, but as I got used to it it’s not bad here at Plymouth because everyone’s really here to help and I have learned to manage my time very well and also work at the same time.
What's your favorite thing about PSU?
The atmosphere. I love the mountains and the views, but I also love the people here. My friends outside of sports and my team. Also, so many people in athletics have been there for me and really made my experience here so worth it and I could never thank them enough for it.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I plan to be working a job that I love and helping those who need help. I one day plan to have a business of my own but to be able to travel the world and see everything I haven’t seen. But, I would also love to be helping out a soccer team because I’ve always been involved in the game and I would love to continue it.
Swanson and her teammates look to bounce back from a three game skid on homecoming Saturday as they take on conference competitor Southern Maine. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30, with the alumni game to follow.