Quick switch no problem for Wayzata two-sport star

  • Updated: November 27, 2012 - 4:28 PM

Katie Schulz

The toughest part of the transition from fall to winter sports is the lack of separation between seasons.

Wayzata's Katie Schulz knows the quick turnaround well.

For three consecutive years Wayzata has advanced to the Class 2A girls' soccer championship game, winning titles in 2011 and 2012. Schulz, a senior defender, has been a vital cog on all three teams.

But she's also a major component on the basketball team, meaning that she's gotten, at best, four days off between seasons.

"There's not much of a recovery," said Schulz, who was All-Metro and all-state in soccer in addition to being named All-Lake Conference as a point guard last season.

"That's OK. I'm not a person who likes to sit down, anyway," she said.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked to Schulz about the shift from soccer to basketball.

Q Another state championship was a nice way to finish off your soccer career.

A It was great to go back-to-back. I've played soccer with most of these girls since I was in kindergarten and it's a fun way to end a career.

Q There must have been some mixed emotions involved.

A In the locker room before the [championship] game, there was quite a bit of emotion. It was our last game, the last time we'd put on the jersey. There were a lot of "lasts." You could feel the energy. There were tears, but we wanted to make sure they were tears of joy instead of tears of sadness.

Q How difficult is going from soccer to basketball?

A It takes a little getting used to. I kept hearing that soccer would have me in shape for basketball right away, but it's different.

Q How?

A In basketball, there's more sprinting up and down the court. Soccer, there's a lot more jogging with a few hard sprints. And I had to get used to using my hands again.

Q What type of carryover is there from soccer to basketball?

A Kiana Nickel and I are captains of both teams, so we know what it takes to be a leader. There's not so much because we have a core group who has been playing together so long we knew exactly what to do. In basketball, we're mostly going to have to lead the juniors.

Q What do you expect from the basketball team?

A We're not as tall as last year, but we're going to be very quick, so we'll be looking to pressure the whole game.

Q You lost to eventual Class 4A champion Hopkins in the section finals last year. How do you feel about Hopkins in your section?

A Hopkins is a great team and a great program. We always get pumped up for that game. They're so talented that it makes it fun. You really have to be mentally tough against them.

Q What are your college plans?

A I'm going to play soccer at [Wisconsin] Green Bay. It's about the right distance from home and it's pretty good-sized. It was tough deciding between basketball and soccer, but soccer just felt right.

Q You know you're going into the heart of Packers territory, right?

A I know. I'm willing to deal with that. Maybe I'll become a Packers fan.

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