Air Force Academy

Aug. 30, 2011

Q&A With Senior Krystin Shanklin
By C2C Sarah Christine Haas

Women's soccer player Krystin Shanklin is in her senior season at Air Force. The second-year team captain has helped lead the Falcons to a 3-1 record so far in 2011, currently ranking first in the Mountain West. She recently stopped for a chat with Cadet Second Class Sarah Christine Haas.

How excited are you about the team's 3-1 start this season?
Beyond excited...this is exactly the start we need to have a successful season. We are on the right path for achieving our goals.

Did you guys expect to get off to such a good start?
We knew this would be the year to start having a great season and the 3-1 start backs us up for how well we are going to do.

How important are the next three weeks for the team, as you play five-consecutive home matches during that time?
We have never had so many home games in one season which is a huge advantage for us when we push through those five games. Playing at home is always easier and if we can take advantage of that, we will start our conference season off in great shape.

Have expectations for the team changed since your earlier years here?
There aren't words to describe how much our program has changed. We have the ability to push ourselves beyond any previous boundaries, something we definitely could not have done before. We have been building up this program for three years now and everyone involved with our team (coaches, players, managers, etc.) knows our expectations this year are above and beyond what they were three years ago.

How would you describe the personality of the team this year?
Excited and ready to show everyone what our team can do.

When did you start playing soccer?
I can't even remember when I started playing soccer... maybe when I was 5 or 6 years old.

When did you decide to come to the Academy?
I decided to come to the Academy at the very end of my junior year of high school.

What is your favorite thing about being at the Air Force Academy?
My favorite thing about the AFA is the soccer team. There is no other group of girls I'd rather work harder for.

As student-athlete that has also excelled in the classroom, how have you been able to juggle both duties as a cadet and athlete?
It's been tough but staying organized and focused on my goals has pushed me through the past three years.

What are your plans upon graduation?
Celebrate my 60 days off like I've never celebrated on vacation before... I haven't thought much beyond that though.