University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Soccer
Get to Know the Gophers: Athena Kuehn
7/16/2018 12:18:00 PM | Soccer
As the University of Minnesota soccer team gears up for another season, GopherSports.com sat down with each player on the 2018 team to get to know them better on and off the field!
As the University of Minnesota soccer team gears up for another season, GopherSports.com sat down with each player on the 2018 team to get to know them better on and off the field!
Athena Kuehn was the next to sit down with GopherSports.com to get to know her more on and off the field!
GopherSports.com: What are your summer plans? Internship? Travel? Playing Soccer? ANYTHING!
Athena Kuehn: I will be going home to Colorado for a month and then coming back halfway through June. I plan on practicing and lifting with my teammates who are still in Minnesota, and hopefully playing in a few games over the summer.
GS: Being out of school for a few months, what do you like to do with your free time? Hobbies? Interests?
AH: Honestly, I really enjoy any activities outside. I also enjoy thrift shopping, reading, watching Netflix, eating, and going to concerts.
GS: How did you begin playing soccer? What sparked your interest as a child?
AH: My mom put me in soccer when I was 4 because I had too much energy. It was definitely a slow start for me but once I got a good understanding of the game, I excelled and enjoyed it.
GS: What other positions have you played in the past? For instance… if you were a goal scorer in high school, and you are not now, what has that position change been like? Or vice versa…
AH: I grew up always playing midfield and played midfield last year, so playing a center defender role this year is definitely different. The change has been challenging but I
think I'm finally starting to grasp the position.
GS: What kind of person would you describe yourself as? What kind of player would you describe yourself as?
AH: Overall, I'm a very energetic person and am very active all the time. I am an extrovert and love to have fun. As a player, I work hard, am very competitive, and never give up.
GS: Have you played other sports in your life?
AH: When I was younger, I played basketball. I ran track and cross country all four years of high school.
GS: Is there a story behind your number you have in college? What about what you had in high school?
AH: My number has always been 13, but when I came to Minnesota it was already taken. Thanks Nicki!
GS: What made you choose to come to the University of Minnesota? What does it mean to be a Gopher to you?
AH: I knew right when I got on campus it was the school for me. The coaches and girls were all so friendly on my visit. When I watched them play soccer the atmosphere was highly competitive. I always wanted to be part of the moped gang and there is always something to do. I take full pride in being a Gopher and wouldn't want to have it any other way.
GS: What is your favorite part about playing soccer here?
AH: I love getting to come and play soccer with a group of girls that have the same passion as me and are always pushing me to be better.
Quick Hits
Favorite Soccer player? Favorite Professional athlete?  Schweinsteiger
Favorite food/meal?  Anything Mexican
Favorite Sport besides soccer?  Basketball
Favorite place you have traveled to?  Europe
Favorite movie series?  Bourne Identity
Favorite Book? Gone With the Wind
Athena Kuehn was the next to sit down with GopherSports.com to get to know her more on and off the field!
GopherSports.com: What are your summer plans? Internship? Travel? Playing Soccer? ANYTHING!
Athena Kuehn: I will be going home to Colorado for a month and then coming back halfway through June. I plan on practicing and lifting with my teammates who are still in Minnesota, and hopefully playing in a few games over the summer.
GS: Being out of school for a few months, what do you like to do with your free time? Hobbies? Interests?
AH: Honestly, I really enjoy any activities outside. I also enjoy thrift shopping, reading, watching Netflix, eating, and going to concerts.
GS: How did you begin playing soccer? What sparked your interest as a child?
AH: My mom put me in soccer when I was 4 because I had too much energy. It was definitely a slow start for me but once I got a good understanding of the game, I excelled and enjoyed it.
GS: What other positions have you played in the past? For instance… if you were a goal scorer in high school, and you are not now, what has that position change been like? Or vice versa…
AH: I grew up always playing midfield and played midfield last year, so playing a center defender role this year is definitely different. The change has been challenging but I
think I'm finally starting to grasp the position.
GS: What kind of person would you describe yourself as? What kind of player would you describe yourself as?
AH: Overall, I'm a very energetic person and am very active all the time. I am an extrovert and love to have fun. As a player, I work hard, am very competitive, and never give up.
GS: Have you played other sports in your life?
AH: When I was younger, I played basketball. I ran track and cross country all four years of high school.
GS: Is there a story behind your number you have in college? What about what you had in high school?
AH: My number has always been 13, but when I came to Minnesota it was already taken. Thanks Nicki!
GS: What made you choose to come to the University of Minnesota? What does it mean to be a Gopher to you?
AH: I knew right when I got on campus it was the school for me. The coaches and girls were all so friendly on my visit. When I watched them play soccer the atmosphere was highly competitive. I always wanted to be part of the moped gang and there is always something to do. I take full pride in being a Gopher and wouldn't want to have it any other way.
GS: What is your favorite part about playing soccer here?
AH: I love getting to come and play soccer with a group of girls that have the same passion as me and are always pushing me to be better.
Quick Hits
Favorite Soccer player? Favorite Professional athlete?  Schweinsteiger
Favorite food/meal?  Anything Mexican
Favorite Sport besides soccer?  Basketball
Favorite place you have traveled to?  Europe
Favorite movie series?  Bourne Identity
Favorite Book? Gone With the Wind
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