Oklahoma State University Athletics
Q & A With Kalyn Brady and Jeanne Rankin
August 31, 2004 | Cowgirl Soccer
1. What made you choose Oklahoma State?
"I’m from Tulsa, and I wanted to come closer to home because I was in Virginia for two years. I’m real excited because it’s a good program."
2. What role do you expect to play on this year’s team?
"I feel honored to be able to play. I want to be able to come in and hopefully help out right away, to be a player that can step in and give some depth."
3. What is the most important aspect of your game?
"Coming out mentally prepared every game, and hard-nosed defense. Just coming out prepared for every game and giving it everything I have."
4. What is your fondest memory from your soccer career so far?
"When the team comes together and you see all of your hard work in practice and see the success from it. At Jenks we won four state championships and at James Madison I had a really good freshman year."
5. What first interested you in soccer?
"I’ve been playing since I was seven. I’m a competitive person. I like the battles on the field, the physical battles. I’ve been playing forever and I love it."
6. Do you have any nicknames?
"People call me "K" or "K-Bray."
7. Have you been watching the Olympics?
"I have when I have not been in class. I like watching the gymnastics a lot, and I like track and field."
8. If you were to play another sport, what would it be?
"They don’t have snowboarding do they? I like outdoor stuff, skiing, snowboarding, and stuff like that."
9. Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model?
"My dad. He’s always telling me to give it everything I have, but also to keep my priorities straight and that soccer is not the most important thing in my life, so it helps me."
10. What is the most important life lesson or advice you have ever received?
"My dad has always told me that I can play soccer and I love it, but injury can take that away from me at any time. He reminds me that there are other things in my life that are important."
A sophomore goalkeeper, Jeanne Rankin comes to OSU via Colorado. Rankin is one of four goalkeepers competing for the starting spot this season.
1. What made you choose Oklahoma State?
"Colorado brought in a really good goalie from Miami, and she had me beat out, so I decided to redshirt last year and come here because I thought I would have a better shot at playing."
2. What role do you expect to play on this year’s team?
"I hope to start, but (Erin) Corbin is a good goalkeeper, and the other two goalkeepers (Erin Stigler and Breanna Truelove) are good too. Whatever I can add to the team, I hope to at least bring some competition."
3. What is the most important aspect of your game?
"I think that my players should feel safe passing the ball back to me. I think I’ve got pretty good foot skills. I tend to sometimes not be able to make the huge saves, but I’m usually pretty consistent on the normal stuff, and don’t slip up on small things."
4. What is your fondest memory from your soccer career so far?
"My fondest memory was at Colorado. It was the first game that I played, with all the excitement and nervousness. To finally be able to play in a college game was pretty cool."
5. What expectations do you have for yourself and the team this season?
"My expectation for myself is to be the starter. I would like to see more consistency from the team this season."
6. What first interested you in soccer?
"My mom always tells me that I went to a practice one day and came back really excited and wanted to sign up for soccer. "
7. Have you been watching the Olympics?
"Yes, I like watching the gymnastics. If you slip up a little bit you could be out of it, so you have to be really consistent. I’m really big about consistency."
8. If you were to play another sport, what would it be?
"Definitely not track, I think I’d try to be a point guard in basketball."
9. Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model on the team?
"I can’t really pinpoint one person. The entire team is really good about getting you to push yourself."
10. What is the most important life lesson or advice you have ever received?
"One of the most important things I’ve learned came from my coach last year, Bill Hempen, who told me just to never give up on myself."
