Dan Daranciang
About the interviewees:
Colin Robinson, of Brookfield, CT, was the starting goalie for the men’s soccer team. Robinson’s 0.58 career goals-against average ranks first on the WU all-time list; he also tallied 15.5 career shutouts and a career record of 18-9-6. ÿRobinson, who has a 3.8 grade-point average as a Biology major, garnered first-team Academic All-District VII honors for the second straight season. He was also named to the first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team for the College Division.
Colleen Winter, a St. Louis native and biology major, was the captain and outside hitter on the second-ranked women’s volleyball team. She ranks first on WU’s list in career digs (1,991), second in career attack attempts (3,880) and games played (528), fifth in kills (1,538) and ninth in total blocks (218). A three-time University Athletic Association (UAA) All-Academic honoree, Winter has also earned all-UAA honors in each of her four years on the Hilltop Campus. She was named first-team All-America both this and last season and second-team All-America in 2002.
Maggie Grabow, of Wauwatosa, WI, was the captain of the third-ranked women’s cross country team. She is an environmental studies major and a double minor in French and legal studies. Maggie holds two University records, including a time of 35:47 in the 10K and a time of 17:11 in the 5K. She placed ninth in the 10K and 15th in the 5K races in the 2003 NCAA Nationals. She also won the UAA Cross Country Championships in 2003 and 2004, garnering All-Conference Honors for herself. She is a six-time UAA Athlete of the Week.
Charlotte Felber, of Orland Park, IL, was the starting goaltender for the twelfth-ranked women’s soccer team. She ranks first in Washington University history in career wins (36), second in career goals against average (0.64), fourth in career saves (175) and fourth in career shutouts (21.5). Felber, who has a 3.65 GPA as a philosophy major, garnered first-team Academic All-District VII honors earlier this month. She is a three-time member of the UAA All-Academic Team and was recently named to the ESPN Women’s Soccer Academic All-American Team.
John Woock, of Louisville, KY, a defensive back, was the captain of the football team. He has a 4.0 GPA in biomedical engineering and was recently named to the College Football’s 2004 National Scholar Athlete Class, one of 15 individuals from all NCAA divisions in the nation. He won an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship with the award. Woock earned second-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 2003 and is the 2002 UAA Defensive Player of the Year and the recipient of the Washington University Most Courageous Award. A Dean’s List member every semester of his career, he received the Biomedical Engineering Department Junior Class Award in 2003.
What has your Wash U experience been like and what has it taught you?
Robinson: “It’s definitely been a period of growth, both academically and athletically. I’ve really gained a sense of maturity which has taught me how to focus much better with classes and especially soccer. I love Wash U. It’s been such a great, positive experience for me.”
Winter: “I’ve met so many people here from all over, like my freshman roommate from Saudi Arabia. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I’m going to really savor next semester. As for volleyball, I’m so lucky to be part of such a talented group of great people. Kudos to the coach for his recruiting skills.”
Grabow: “It’s taught me how to be an independent person and how to expand upon the values that my parents taught me like dedication, perseverance, loyalty and trust through developing relationships. I had to use those values to build bonds of trust, especially with teammates, who then became my best friends. I’m not the same person I was freshman year – I was more na‹ve and sheltered, but coming to college opened my eyes to a different world.”
Felber: “I’ve come to love Wash U as a very special place that has taught me a lot. I’ve met some great friends, and even though the classes have been challenging, it’s been a very rewarding experience.”
Woock: “The past four years have taught me how to balance my responsibilities and how to have fun. Enjoying being around such great people, especially, has given me a greater appreciation for diversity across the country. Coming from Louisville I wasn’t very exposed to all that’s out there, but Wash U has opened me up to people of different backgrounds and places.”
What was it like balancing an academic life with an athletic sports career?
Woock: “It really comes down to managing your time and knowing how to study at the last minute, which is clutch. Football was something I really wanted to do, so giving that up was out of the question. So, in order to do both successfully, I had to make both equally as important to have a purpose and persevere despite everything I had on my plate. I managed.”
Winter: “Firstly, there’s no such thing as a social life on Friday and Saturday, so there’s not much time for yourself and with friends. When you have such a schedule you must become disciplined and use the time when you have it. Every moment is basically spent doing work because you basically have to. It’s all so worth it, though. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Robinson: “Freshman year I didn’t play because of a knee injury, so I was in rehab, which I think gave me a better chance to readjust while also preparing for competition.”
Grabow: “I’ve learned how to manage my time, that’s for sure. Both work and athletics are really important priorities for me, and in order to maintain that priority at practice and at school, you have to be efficient. Nevertheless, it’s always important to have the time to have fun. Professors have been really sympathetic and understanding with my demands and schedule, so I’m grateful for that.”
Felber: “As an architecture major my first two years, it was hard being a perfectionist and having to have so much studio time, so sometimes I overexerted myself. I then switched to philosophy, and still spent lots of time doing work. Also, being around other driven people has a trickle-down-effect. On the bus, everyone would have their books out doing work. It was tough, but rewarding.”
Looking back on the past four years, would you do anything differently if you could?
Woock: “It would have been nice to win a few more games, especially the close ones, but the memories wouldn’t be traded for anything. It was an awesome, fun four years, so I can’t say I’d want to change a thing. No regrets.”
Robinson: “Well, being a biology major I felt I was forced to take specific courses. I would have liked to get some more variety than just planning for my future.
Grabow: “One of my weaknesses is perfectionism, and because of that I always seem to put a lot of pressure on myself. I would have liked to handle some situations without always putting so much pressure on myself and hindering myself in doing so. Coach Stiles taught me to run to have fun, and after learning from him, it now is.”
Felber: “No, because then everything would not have turned out the way it has. Soccer is more than just soccer, and I would never want to give something as special as that up. Maybe I would’ve liked to come in having more of a propensity to explore different areas.”
What is your greatest Wash U sports memory?
Robinson: “I don’t think I have one in particular, but it was the things like road trips that I’ll always remember. For instance, coming back from U Chicago [University of Chicago] last year after a big win just hanging out and celebrating, having freestyling sessions, telling jokes on the microphone – it was all just so great. It was also really cool traveling with the girls, which gave a nice variety with their team there. One of the greatest things is that you don’t only get to know all the guys on your team but also other athletes from other teams… since we all pretty much live at the AC during the season.”
Winter: “The natural thing to say is to win the national championship last year, but I’m not sure, because there are so many great random moments. It’s the little memories that I’ll remember the most, like on the bus and in the locker room with the girls. They’re an exceptionally amazing group of girls and there’s no fighting between us. After every game we’d go to Wendy’s and get Frostys – it’s the little things like that.”
Felber: “Probably beating U Chicago last year is definitely at the top of the list. It was one of the things that helped to set up our success this year, I believe. There were a lot of family and friends at the game, so that was really great. It’s tough to choose just one; there’s so many.”
Grabow: “On Saturday, November 20, we took third place at Nationals and it was quite the honor to lead these ladies to that after working so hard. That day was the event we all had worked for, and it was so exceptional, not just because of our success, but also…the entire team came up to Wisconsin to cheer us on. I saw my grandfather on the sidelines with tears in his eyes – the joy that I saw in his eyes and the pride I saw was simply unforgettable. I never saw Coach Stiles that ecstatic. It was so rewarding to see him so happy.”
Woock: “Probably the end of the Carnegie Mellon game this season because it was an intense last drive and stopping them cold meant something special for the seniors, which was that we became the only class to win every conference game ever played. Also, I just got in from New York for the Awards dinner and it was an unreal experience. People like Ronnie Lott, Joe Paterno and Archie Manning were there – it was ridiculous. I felt very fortunate to be there.”
With the close of your last season behind you, what were some of your emotions and thoughts knowing that it’s all coming to an end soon?
Grabow: “My initial feeling was sadness because of the remarkable experience and knowing that I’m leaving it. I’m so proud to be a member of the cross country team and happy for them because I know they will do well. Still, I’m excited to see what the future holds – a little apprehensive, but confident that the relationships I’ve built are strong and will help me along the way.”
Felber: “Denial. I didn’t think about it as over right away. Some people were pretty emotional, but it wasn’t until we had a team dinner last week where it really set in. It was really more so what we built as a team more than anything that I’ll miss. The future of the team is ahead of them and they should all be very successful.”
Robinson: “It’s kind of weird – working for so much then all of a sudden it stops. It’s hard to know that it’s coming to an end. I mean, you can’t just stop playing since we’ve all been playing since we were four of five years old. It’s a real transitional period. I’d like to continue playing [soccer] in the future in maybe indoor or adult leagues as I become an overweight middle-aged man.”
Winter: “It’s a real bittersweet feeling because I love volleyball and sports in general, so it’s hard not to imagine being on the team. I plan on starting up with sand volleyball and coaching a club team here in St. Louis just so I can hold some ties to the sport. But it just won’t be the same since it’s not with the team. I’m excited to have some free time and go out.
Woock: “My biggest feeling was to just take it all in and just stand around on the field before the game to take a mental picture of it. I didn’t want to worry about it going by too fast. It should be interesting to see how I’ll be next season when I’m not playing. I was talking with Ronnie Lott at the awards dinner and he told me to take these things from the field and apply them to life. Football was never work, and if I could play forever, that would be awesome.”
Is there any advice you want to leave to your teammates after gaining infinite wisdom from your experiences?
Felber: “Enjoy it, it goes by a lot quicker than you think. Still, don’t lose other aspects of life and be set only on academics. Enjoy the other aspects and remember to have fun. That’s really important.”
Winter: “Don’t be a fool, stay in school. No, just kidding. Wash U is so amazing and once in while you should look around…and just appreciate it. Try to enjoy it because it goes by really fast. I just hope that next semester goes by really, really slowly because I’m going to have some fun!”
Grabow: “I guess just to believe in yourself and don’t put pressure on yourself. Be confident and if you work towards your goals, you’ll achieve success. It’s the little things you need in order to have success…like with teammates, friends, professors, and family. I think it’s really important to make sure to make the time to say you love the people who are important to you in your life and recognize the people who have helped you along the way.”
Robinson: “Enjoy the guys on the team and the experience because you’re never going to go to school and play sports again like we’ve done. The senior batch, especially, are such amazing people; they’re all very impressive. It was great having the opportunity to get to know all of them and I’ll miss them very much.”
Woock: “Well, something that I picked up from the older guys when I was a freshman was that there’s nothing more important than having fun. You really can’t take things too seriously, or else you’re in for trouble. Enjoy life, it’s that simple.”
What are your plans after graduation and what do you see the future holding in store for you?
Robinson: “I’m applying to medical school, so hopefully I’ll be there next year, maybe back East. Hopefully I’ll get into public health of maybe international or urban health.”
Grabow: “Right now I’m applying to law schools, environmental law especially, and then maybe get my masters in environmental science. I also want to run in marathons because it’s very fulfilling to feel that connection with long-distance running. A family is also in order.”
Winter: “I’m applying to physical therapy school at Wash U, so right now I’ve got to finish up all my applications. I’d like to get right into it – physical therapy is just what I’m looking for as a biology major and someone who loves to interact with people. As long as I can interact with people.”
Felber: “I’m applying to law school, but I might possibly give myself a break to get a feel for what exactly I want to do. I’m not quite sure – I’m still interested in architecture, so maybe construction or environmental and land use law. So, we’ll see how that turns out.”
Woock: “I’m looking to go to Biomedical Engineering graduate school in neuroprosthetics research, maybe out on the West coast for a change of scenery. But for right now, I have to wrap up my applications and get all that together.”
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Winter: “I’d just like to reiterate how lucky I feel to be a part of such an amazing group of people and how lucky I feel to be able to make the playoffs and be so successful as we have. Not many teams can be as privileged as we are to do so well, even though most teams will work so hard. I can’t feel any luckier.”
Grabow: “Definitely my parents for always being so supportive. They rarely miss a competition, regardless of where I’m competing, and I can’t thank them enough for their support. Definitely my grandfather, sister, and teammates, and to Coach Stiles. It was truly an honor to be a member of the women’s cross country team.”
Felber: “The development of the team is something I haven’t felt from coaches before and the same goes with my teammates. We’re all very close, almost like family. It’s very genuine, that’s what I’m going to miss the most. But I’m thankful just for the opportunity to be part of such a team and get to know everyone I have met.”
Robinson: “I want to thank all of my teammates, my coaches, my friends and, above all, my family for all of their support. I had a fantastic experience as an athlete and student here at Wash U, but it wouldn’t have been as great were it not for them.”
Woock: “I’d like to thank my coaches. Some of the greatest lessons of life are taught from the sidelines, and I can’t appreciate that any more. My teammates, the seniors especially, are so special to me. They’re a special bunch of people and I can’t be more grateful for them.”