By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Mara Gustafson
Nickname: Mar
School: Bay Port
Parents: Steve and Toni Gustafson
Activity: Girls’ soccer
Twitter: @maragustafson22
Mara Gustafson was a senior member of the Bay Port girls’ soccer team.
She said she enjoys hot summers because she loves to take part in water activities and also likes sunsets.
Gustafson said she’d get a thrill out of being Judge Judy for a day to listen to cases and laugh at them.
Who was the quietest person on your team?
“Any of the freshmen.”
What’s your most embarrassing soccer moment?
“In U13, my club team was playing in the championship game in an Appleton tournament. It was tied 2-2 toward the end of the game, and the other team got a free kick near the 18-yard line. They took the kick, and I tried heading it out, but it hit the top/back of my head. Instead of going forward, it went backward into our goal. We ended up losing 3-2. I was embarrassed, but it was the first header goal I scored.”
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d do?
“Go on a long vacation to Bora Bora.”
How many times can you head the ball to yourself without letting it hit the ground?
“This isn’t a drill I normally practice, but I just tried and got five.”
What’s the hardest part about performing in a soccer match?
“Drowning out the distractions and playing in the moment. Many people take too much feedback, or they’re worried about what everyone thinks of them.”
A week in South America or Africa?
“South America because I’ve wanted to go to Brazil since I watched the movie ‘Rio’ as a kid.”
Jet skiing or swimming?
“Jet skiing.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“Teaching first graders, starting a family and figuring out where life takes me.”
Talk about a time when you helped somebody.
“My mom and I helped a man who was looking for his lost dog. We searched for more than an hour. Finally, we found him before it got dark. The man told us afterward he was about to quit looking before we showed up. It was a rewarding experience.”
What are your college aspirations?
“This fall, I’m attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to study elementary education and play soccer.”
Biking or rollerblading?
“Biking.”
Favorite soccer team?
“United States Women’s National team.”
What two words describe you?
“Outgoing, helpful.”
Talk about your family.
“My parents both went to Green Bay West High School. My dad played football, basketball and ran track. My mom played volleyball, soccer and swam. After graduation, she went to UW-Milwaukee and swam collegiately.”
What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve been told by a teacher?
“Don’t listen to the outside noise – focus only on what you can control. This can apply to school, soccer or any other areas in life.”
What’s your favorite phone app?
“TikTok.”
Carpet or hardwood?
“Hardwood. I like the comfort of carpet floors, but I love the look of hardwood. It’s also way easier to clean spills.”
Who’s your favorite soccer player?
“Alex Morgan. Interestingly, she didn’t start playing soccer until she was 14 but still worked hard and lived out her dream to play professionally.”
Toughest team you’ve played?
“A club team from Michigan my junior year.”
Favorite game played in a Bay Port uniform?
“The state championship game my freshman year against Sheboygan North.”
How do you define success?
“I believe success is personal. It’s reaching a certain goal or accomplishing something. It can be big or small.”
Favorites
Restaurants: Olive Garden, Qdoba, Chick-fil-A
Subject: Early Childhood Education
Colors: Light purple, blue
Musical artist: Post Malone
Sports editor’s note: To read another Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight on Green Bay Preble’s Eleanor Hoge, CLICK HERE.