University Southern California Trojans
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/ Women's Lacrosse
Photo by: John McGillen
Meet The Freshman: Erin Bakes
February 06, 2019 | Women's Lacrosse, Features
The No. 21-ranked USC lacrosse team opens the 2019 season at home against Hofstra on February 9
Meet Erin Bakes, a freshman midfielder for USC lacrosse. The Women of Troy welcome six talented freshmen for the 2019 season. Get to know each of them a little better as the season approaches. The Trojans host Hofstra on Saturday, Feb. 9, at McAlister Field, with first draw set for noon PT.
How are you liking USC so far?
So far, I love USC. It's definitely everything I expected and more. When I was getting recruited here, everything that they were preaching, you see now. I'm definitely excited to spend the next four years here.
What inspired your decision to come to USC?
I decided to come to USC because I think it's a perfect opportunity. It's somewhere I can excel both academically and athletically, and the sense of pride on campus is a big draw, not just from athletes and coaches, but from alumni and other students and professors. That's something I really see now as a student here.
How has it been adjusting to the West Coast in general?
It is different, but I couldn't really see myself going anywhere else, considering I'm from Miami and I didn't want to freeze anywhere else. I've met a bunch of different types of people on the West Coast. There are definitely some different personalities, but so far so good.
Have you gotten the chance to explore LA yet? Do you have a favorite place to go?
Yeah, we've been out a little bit. I think Venice Beach is probably my favorite place. I love all of the art and different types of people there. Just walking around and people watching is also fun there.
Do you have any hobbies outside of lacrosse?
Outside of lacrosse, I like to do other extreme sports, like snowboarding, and skateboarding. Not sure how much snowboarding I'll be able to do while I'm playing lacrosse here, but definitely something I want to do when my time is over.
Have you thought about your career goals for after graduation?
I've definitely been all over the place with that. I might want to go to grad school and get a JD-MBA, just like my dad. He got his law degree, so I might want to follow in his path. I'd still probably like to have a career in business, and am also looking to minor in political science, because I'm really into politics, so maybe something in that field as well.
Have you had a favorite class that you've taken here, or are taking now?
My favorite class so far has been a political science class called Environmental Challenges. In the beginning, it introduced the science of climate change, but the rest of the class was all about policy-making in our country; locally and globally. We got to pretend to be congressmen and world leaders, and make our own policies, so that was definitely right up my alley.
What is the biggest difference between playing in high school and playing in college?
I think the biggest difference is that everyone's lacrosse IQ is so much higher, and the speed of the game as well. There's not really any time to sit back, or else you'll fall behind quickly. Just being fast, and being smart.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm most looking forward to seeing how our team faces adversity together. Something that struck me in the fall was how much everyone pushed each other in the hardest lifts and the hardest runs, so I'm excited to see how that translates in the spring. And of course, traveling with the team, with some of the funniest girls I've met, and a bunch of different personalities, so there's bound to be some laughs there.
Do you have a favorite memory or proudest achievement from high school lacrosse?
I'd say my favorite memory and proudest achievement was probably when I was a freshman, the first year that my high school was eligible to be in districts, we won the championship in double overtime. For most of the girls, it was either their first or second year playing, so to see everyone improve so fast and be so focused, and then come to love the game as much as I do was really humbling and exciting.
How are you liking USC so far?
So far, I love USC. It's definitely everything I expected and more. When I was getting recruited here, everything that they were preaching, you see now. I'm definitely excited to spend the next four years here.
What inspired your decision to come to USC?
I decided to come to USC because I think it's a perfect opportunity. It's somewhere I can excel both academically and athletically, and the sense of pride on campus is a big draw, not just from athletes and coaches, but from alumni and other students and professors. That's something I really see now as a student here.
How has it been adjusting to the West Coast in general?
It is different, but I couldn't really see myself going anywhere else, considering I'm from Miami and I didn't want to freeze anywhere else. I've met a bunch of different types of people on the West Coast. There are definitely some different personalities, but so far so good.
Have you gotten the chance to explore LA yet? Do you have a favorite place to go?
Yeah, we've been out a little bit. I think Venice Beach is probably my favorite place. I love all of the art and different types of people there. Just walking around and people watching is also fun there.
Do you have any hobbies outside of lacrosse?
Outside of lacrosse, I like to do other extreme sports, like snowboarding, and skateboarding. Not sure how much snowboarding I'll be able to do while I'm playing lacrosse here, but definitely something I want to do when my time is over.
Have you thought about your career goals for after graduation?
I've definitely been all over the place with that. I might want to go to grad school and get a JD-MBA, just like my dad. He got his law degree, so I might want to follow in his path. I'd still probably like to have a career in business, and am also looking to minor in political science, because I'm really into politics, so maybe something in that field as well.
Have you had a favorite class that you've taken here, or are taking now?
My favorite class so far has been a political science class called Environmental Challenges. In the beginning, it introduced the science of climate change, but the rest of the class was all about policy-making in our country; locally and globally. We got to pretend to be congressmen and world leaders, and make our own policies, so that was definitely right up my alley.
What is the biggest difference between playing in high school and playing in college?
I think the biggest difference is that everyone's lacrosse IQ is so much higher, and the speed of the game as well. There's not really any time to sit back, or else you'll fall behind quickly. Just being fast, and being smart.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm most looking forward to seeing how our team faces adversity together. Something that struck me in the fall was how much everyone pushed each other in the hardest lifts and the hardest runs, so I'm excited to see how that translates in the spring. And of course, traveling with the team, with some of the funniest girls I've met, and a bunch of different personalities, so there's bound to be some laughs there.
Do you have a favorite memory or proudest achievement from high school lacrosse?
I'd say my favorite memory and proudest achievement was probably when I was a freshman, the first year that my high school was eligible to be in districts, we won the championship in double overtime. For most of the girls, it was either their first or second year playing, so to see everyone improve so fast and be so focused, and then come to love the game as much as I do was really humbling and exciting.
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