Not only does USC boast world-class athletes, but world-class student-athletes as well. Each month, we will profile one of these outstanding Trojans who has chosen to pursue coursework in either the science, technology, engineering or math field (STEM).
Name: Kylie Drexel
Sport: Women's Lacrosse
Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Biology
Sarah Bergstrom (SB): What brought you to USC?
Kylie Drexel (KD): I came here because my dad went here and I was born in LA. I guess I just knew as soon as I got to the program that this is where I wanted to go. I love California, and a huge part of why I came was because of my dad. I'm really happy this is where I am.
SB: I saw that you had something like a 4.3 GPA in high school, clearly academics are something that have been important to you in your life. How has the transition been to the academics of a college?
KD: It's definitely a lot different. In high school, my classes were difficult but I had more of a one-on-one relationship with my teachers. Now I notice that it's harder to get more time with my teachers. I'm focusing on [biology] right now and I don't think I realized how strenuous that would be. It's forced me to switch tracks a little and minor in business to give myself more options. I had always wanted to go to med school but I'm not sure if that's going to work out so I've switched things a little.
SB: Do you think that's been a cool opportunity to do something different, maybe something you weren't planning on doing when you started school?
KD: Definitely. I already knew I wanted to do business entrepreneurship which is what my minor is. Originally, I wanted to maybe work nine months out of the year and spend the rest of my time working with a non-profit. Maybe doing a "Doctors on Wheels" sort of thing. Now I am going to try and find a way to make a company and maybe involve medicine if I can.
SB: Changing topics a little to lacrosse, what's really cool about this team and this program in my opinion is that because it's so young, a lot of younger girls had a chance to play early on. You're a perfect example of that. What's been your growth process in the last two seasons?
KD: I think that in high school, especially coming from California, the coaching is a lot different. I never really had the type of coaching I have now, with such elite coaches. Before, I was really focused on myself and improving my game, but now I've developed a ton more as a player because I'm able to work on the team aspect as well. I think I have more assists than I do goals this season and it's so good to know my teammates have my back. Especially with it being a new program it's cool because everyone is kind of a leader. We all have a chance to make our mark and it's cool that we have leadership from top to bottom.
SB: For a program that's only in its third year, it's pretty impressive that you are already in a position where you're contending for conference titles and making the NCAA tournament. Obviously, I don't think your team would say you're surprised, but what do you think has been the key to the fast development and success of your whole group?
KD: I think maybe the first couple years it was hard because there were a lot of emotions involved and nothing was really established. That can work for or against you. Now things are a little more set in stone and we have everything down. I think it's nice that now in our third year we're working together, we know each other's tendencies and we're not as young. We have people who've really matured and so I think everything has come together much better.
SB: I don't know the personality of this team super well but are there elements at play off the field that have allowed this group to gel together so well?
KD: Yeah I think everyone gets along really well. We are such a big group but there's not a division between grades or anything like that. A bunch of us have little traditions. A ton of us go and get Kogi every Tuesday night and just hang out. Everyone feels really welcome because we don't have any alphas on our team.
