Athlete Showcase: Brandywine’s Sloan Kangas
Published 8:56 am Friday, April 22, 2016
Sloan Kangas is a senior goalie on the Brandywine soccer team.
What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?
SK: One of my greatest athletic accomplishments has been making the BCS All-Star second team, as well as learning all that I have over my four years here at Brandywine.
What has been one of your biggest disappointments as an athlete?
SK: One of my biggest disappointments would have to be the fact that I didn’t start earlier; if I had I think I would be much better than I am now.
What has been a hardship in your life?
SK: My hardship would have to be my parents being divorced. It’s hard and I try everyday to prove myself to them.
Who is a “hero” in your life and why?
SK: My hero is Mary Sherman Morgan. She is one of the first female rocket scientist and she went through a lot of ridicule for going into her profession, much like what my future is about to look like.
When are you the most nervous while you are competing?
SK: I am the most nervous when the offense comes for a breakaway and I’m one on one with the offense. It’s nerve racking.
Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.
SK: As a goalie, we spit on our gloves for traction, this one time we were setting up for a corner kick and I spat on my gloves and it landed on the girl who was guarding me. I felt terrible.
How do you tend to workout/train when by yourself?
SK: I tend to listen to music while running and working out.
What other sport would you like to compete in if you were not playing yours?
SK: I would love to play lacrosse. It seems to be another really aggressive sport I think I would like.
Why are sports an important part of a high school experience?
SK: Sports teach you so much about leadership, playing together as a unit, as well as being respectful. It teaches you characteristics that you don’t quite learn in the classroom.
How would you give away $50,000?
SK: $50,000 is a lot of money. I would most likely split the money up among a few charities and scholarship committees.
If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?
SK: That’s hard, I am still learning as a senior but I would choose the U.S. Women’s National Team.
If I did not play sports, I would…?
SK: I would mostly likely throw myself into the arts.
What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?
SK: In soccer I stand in the back. I am watching, playing and helping all at once. At times I reach a point where I can’t help and that’s not in my nature. It’s hard to step back.
If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?
SK: I would change PKs (penalty kicks). They are the goalies’ number one fear. It’s that one-on-one time that only you and that player understand.
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
SK: The best compliment I have ever received is when my coach; Winkler, said he loved having me on his team.
What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?
SK: The scariest thing that I had to do was when I slide tackled an offensive player on a break away. I managed to get stepped on, but I stopped the goal. I was glad I did it.
What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?
SK: The last thing I saw that impressed me was when I watched the goal go in that brought us to district finals. It was awesome.
What is your favorite hobby? Why?
SK: My favorite hobby is reading because it expands my knowledge as well as sends me to distant lands.
Choose one word to describe yourself:
SK: Passionate.