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Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight: Reese Gustafson, Bay Port cross country and girls’ soccer

By Greg Bates
Sports Editor

Name: Reese Gustafson

Parents: Toni and Steve Gustafson

Activities: Cross country and girls’ soccer

Nickname: Some of her cross country teammates call her Gus, but to everyone else she’s Reese.

Instagram: @ReeseGustafson_

Gustafson stays quite busy in the fall and spring seasons with sports. When winter comes, she’s prepping by running or getting some touches on the soccer ball. In her first three years of high school, Gustafson ran cross country and played club soccer in the fall, but this year she dropped club ball.

Interesting combination with cross country and soccer. Most cross country runners opt for track as well.

“I’ve grown up playing soccer and I did do track in middle school when I could overlap the two and it wasn’t super busy. But I think I just stuck with soccer because I loved it and I grew up playing club, so I picked it up in high school and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”

Which sport do you like better: cross country or soccer?

“I would say right now I’m more focused on cross country. It used to not be that way, but I used to be roles reversed and cross country was my sport for soccer. It kind of grew into my primary sport, and I love it.”

How does cross country help you with soccer with endurance and such?

“One, like you said, endurance. It’s the best thing for you to get running out there. I’d say in the aspect of team versus individual, I think cross country has helped me on the soccer field because it helps me like understand that in this sport I do my own job for my team and it’s kind of vice versa, but in a different aspect.”

Do you know your plans for next year?

“I don’t know. I’m kind of in the application process. I’m deciding between big school academics or running, I’d say. I’m still waiting on finishing up the season and everything.”

You would like to run in college?

“I do have interest, but, again, I’m still in between where do I want to go to Madison.”

There are some colleges interested in you for cross country?

“I have had D-III schools and a few smaller D-I’s.”

Do you have any idea what you’d like to do for a profession?

“I have been thinking in like the business field and math, so kind of accounting, finance, actuary. I’m still exploring those areas, but definitely business/math, love them.”

What do you like doing in your spare time?

“I love hanging out with my friends and family, I’m very close with my family. My siblings are away, so my parents and I, we do a lot. I love watching my sister (Mara) when I can. She plays at Stevens Point.”

You’re the youngest in your family?

“Yep. I have two older sisters. The oldest (Shae) goes to Madison and the one I mentioned plays soccer at Point.”

How have they shaped your academic and athletic career?

“I’d say I’m almost a complete mix of their personalities. So the oldest one, obviously, has the academic — kind of what I picked up a little bit. I’m kind of just half and half. The other is more athletic. I got a little bit of both of them, which I’m really happy for.”

What’s the most important thing in your life right now?

“I think the most important thing in my life right now is my physical and mental health. I’m going into my senior year — cross country I want to stay healthy and I really want to try to have a fun and stress-free experience. But with school coming up, we’ll see how that goes.”

What are you looking forward to senior year?

“I think I’m looking forward to answers. Obviously, I’m very unsure, so I think it’s going to be really exciting to see where I end up. It should be pretty soon where I make decisions, and I’m just excited to know them.”

Are you an outdoors person?

“I love outdoors, I just hate bugs. Once the bugs come, I’m usually inside. But I do love spending time outdoors.”

Boating or hunting?

“I would say I’m more of a boater. Obviously, I’m in a family with sisters, so we don’t do any hunting.”

If you could be someone for a day, who would it be?

“I think I would be somebody really tall, because I would like to like go to a concert in the student section and be able to see.”

You’re a little shorter.

“I’m 5-foot-2, so not horrible. I’d love to be able to look above and do stuff that being tall is nice for.”

What’s your favorite sport outside of cross country and soccer?

“I love playing volleyball with my friends. I’m not very good at it, but it’s so fun.”

What other activities do you enjoy?

“I love snowboarding. My family and I used to ski when I was little and as I grew up I learned snowboarding and it’s super chill. We go a lot, so I love it.”

One word that describes you?

“Involved.”

What do you like about school?

“I like that it challenges me. I think it would be really boring if I wasn’t stressed out doing it. I definitely like being kept on my toes, and I love how it feels when I do something that I work hard to.”

Favorite subject?

“I really like math. I think, kind of as I mentioned, it’s so hard and so draining, but when I get the final answer it feels really good.”

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