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Don’t mess with Westrum
SCSU sophomore forward Heidi Westrum has brought much needed toughness and attitude to the Husky soccer team.
By Drew Herron
Published:
Thursday, October 3, 2002
Media Credit: Blair Schlichte
SCSU forward Heidi Westrum was ranked third on the team last year with nine points. Westrum is on the same track with six goals this season so far, but is not eligible to play this Friday against Augustana College because of numerous yellow card violations.
Watching Heidi Westrum play soccer is like watching a shark chase its prey.
Swift, agile and aggressive, Westrum pursues the ball with an ardent enthusiasm opposing teams can never seem to match.
Playing the game since age five, Westrum credits genetics and her athletic upbringing for much of what she has accomplished.
“My family is a pretty athletic family, so when we were younger we got involved in any kind of sport,” Westrum said. “Soccer was just one I stuck with.”
Athleticism is a trait that runs deep in the Westrum family. Heidi’s brother, Erik, and her father have both served as captains for the University of Minnesota hockey team, and Erik currently plays in the Phoenix Coyotes organization, trying to break into the NHL.
“In high school, I looked up to Michelle Akers. She played my position when I was growing up,” Westrum said. “I have really looked up to my brother. He doesn’t play soccer, but he’s an athlete.”
As much as Westrum tries to model her athletic career after her brother’s, it’s her mom who has had the greatest affect on her as a person.
“I look up to her a lot. She’s a person I wouldn’t mind being exactly like when I’m older,” Westrum said. “She’s always in a good mood, and I love that about her.”
Before coming to SCSU, Westrum was primarily a midfielder, but playing forward in college seems to fit her style wonderfully.
“Midfield is more where I used to play in high school. I played forward a little my senior year, but it was mostly midfield,” Westrum said. “I like playing forward more. It wasn’t too bad of a transition because I was always more offensive as a midfielder.”
The love for the sport and the program is what brought Westrum to SCSU from Apple Valley High School.
“Soccer would be my first reason,” Westrum said. “I was interested in the education program too, but now I actually switched majors. I am going to do something with dentistry.”
“I like how the campus isn’t huge, but it’s not small. When you walk by you know somebody,” Westrum said. “Especially being involved in athletics.”
Finding time to get everything done during the soccer season can be a chore by itself, but Westrum feels the structure the schedule provides has helped her with her time management skills.
“It’s very hectic. It’s hard doing school too because I’m always involved with soccer,” Westrum said. “When I have an hour, I really don’t want to study. I just want to lie down and take a nap, and I can’t do that. It takes a lot of focus, especially when we have a game too, because you want to be focused on the game.”
Despite the free time deficiency, Westrum believes her grades will benefit.
“Last year I did better during the soccer season. I probably do better because I have to balance my time more,” Westrum said. “When I don’t have soccer I feel like I have all day to get something done, but I really don’t.”
Westrum’s hard-line style of soccer has helped her score a team leading six goals and 45 shots, as well as generating numerous scoring opportunities. But it hasn’t come without a price.
An unfortunate side-effect of playing aggressively is the accumulation of yellow cards. Westrum drew her fifth yellow card on Sunday against South Dakota and is now ineligible for Friday’s home game against Augustana.
“My first yellow card was against Winona. I received two in the same game, which means a red card. So I had to sit out for the Duluth game. Now I have five and I have to sit out again, so it’s kind of annoying.”
As a team the Huskies are off to a solid start, despite two recent losses. Westrum thinks it’s an attitude adopted in the very beginning of practices that is the driving force behind this year’s team.
“At the beginning of the year we always plan our goals,” Westrum said. “Now, some of those goals that we know we can reach might be a reality. We started out with things like giving a 100 percent at practices and games. Having trust and respect with teammates and having pride in the program,” Westrum said. “But now it’s realistic to be a part of the NCC tournament. That’s now a new goal of ours.”
It will undoubtedly be difficult for a person as competitive as Westrum is to watch the game from the sidelines, but she puts a lot of faith in her teammates. These last two seasons have taught her the value of getting along and putting in hard work as a team.
“Obviously you have to have good teamwork,” she said. “Sometimes you may come across problems together that you can work through. And you’re always there for people and they’re there for you. They’re the kind of people that I would always want to be a part of my life.”
