Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Founded 1901

Royal Purple

Woodson balances work load

By Josh Sinclair

Oct. 28, 2015

The life of a student athlete is busy. Between practices and workouts, between games and classes, there is always something else on the docket.

Jenna Woodson takes this to an extreme. Woodson’s first responsibility is as a student, which she takes seriously and that shined through when last season she was named an Academic All-American. Her second job is being one of the captains of the No. 21 ranked Warhawks women’s soccer team.

“Playing soccer is my passion, and playing for Whitewater is everything I could have wanted,” Woodson said.

As an athlete, Woodson is an illustrious career, she was voted an All-WIAC player in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In her 2013 campaign she was voted the WIAC Offensive Player of the Year and was selected as an NSCAA All American.

Whitewater’s style of play has allowed her to flourish. Woodson, Whitewater’s all-time leader in assists, says the team’s style has helped her become an assist machine.

“I always like to play fast,” Woodson said. “When I get possession of the ball, I think to myself, ‘It’s my turn, let’s go’. That helps me because then I try and make a play, and that helps me make my moves because it’s my turn to go. [coach Ryan] Quamme has really helped me with that because he tells me to push it end line and cross it back middle, and that’s the best part of my game.”

Woodson’s on the field accomplishments speak for themselves. but it’s what she does off the field that makes people like Quamme so proud.

“Jenna’s passion, drive and dedication to succeed is reflected in the numerous amount of accolades she has received both academically and athletically that she has received in her time here,” Quamme said.

Woodson has a long list of accomplishments that reach far beyond the field. As a student, Woodson was an Academic All-American in 2014. But she doesn’t just spend her time in the classroom, she spends the little free time she has helping others.

Woodson is the Coordinating fundraiser for the International Business Club, she is a veteran Warhawk in the Warhawks Leadership Academy, and she is the Vice President of Tom’s Campus Club.

Helping others is a passion of Woodson’s that she has acted on for a while. In high school she used to trick or treat house to house and ask her neighbors if anyone had any canned goods. Woodson would collect these canned goods and bring them into school so they could be donated to her local food pantry.

Woodson has always wanted to help people, but she hopes to make a career of it one day.

“Ideally, I’d like to work for Tom’s or Nike, but in the department that helps with giving back,” Woodson said. “With Tom’s, I’d like to travel the world and help give children who need shoes something to put on their feet. For Nike, the same thing, I’d love to help people get clothes, because everyone deserves at least some clothes or shoes to wear around.”

Being involved in so much puts Woodson in a bind sometimes, but she has a plan for that.

“I try to get little things like homework done almost a week ahead of time so that way I don’t have to worry about it,” Woodson said. “It’s all about time management, I don’t have a ton of free time, so the time I have, I try to use it productively.”

Woodson’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by those around her.

“Jenna’s career has exemplified what it means to be a student athlete for UW-Whitewater Women’s Soccer,” Quamme said. “Her commitment to excellence in academics, athletics and community service continues to raise the expectations for all of her past, present and future teammates.”

Whether Woodson is making a move on a left back or collecting shoes for those who don’t have any, Woodson is going to keep her balance.

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Founded 1901
Woodson balances work load