I was eager to talk to Carmen Cruz, an athlete at the University of Puget Sound, thinking that an interview with an incoming freshman would give a good perspective for young readers. A peek into the first few months of college when things can be new and exciting, and also overwhelming. Especially as an athlete. And what I found in Carmen, was a young woman who was prepared for the change. Maybe not knowingly, but I sensed a strength in her to find the positive, in any situation. When we spoke, she was hoping to finally be cleared to practice again after having sustained a concussion earlier in the season. But, when I asked her about the time she’d spent off the court, and the scrimmage that she’d missed, she wasn’t too concerned, her focus was on her new team, how well they had played, and the future they all had together.
In high school Carmen was one of the top 3-point shooters in Washington State, making fifty 3-point baskets in her final season at West Seattle High School. She averaged 13.4 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game her senior year and played AAU with Friends of Hoops.
UPDATE: Since our interview UPS has had two games, and Carmen got to play. The team didn’t come away with wins, but they are a young team, and this is preseason, so I’m looking forward to watching them grow. In the first contest, Carmen scored 16 points, and had 1 block, 1 steal, and 1 assist in 18 minutes against Ripon College. Then two days later she went 4 of 5 from the field, 2 of 2 from the free-throw line, and finished with 13 points versus Christopher Newport University, the 9th ranked NCAA Division lll Women’s Basketball team in the nation.
Carmen, how has the move to college been for you? Both with school and basketball?
School wise it’s definitely different. Today I have only two classes but they are separated by three hours. It goes from high school where (classes) go back-to-back-to-back. Where now sometimes, during the day, I have free time. I feel like you just switch to being a grown up so fast. And it’s been a little difficult, because (UPS) is a higher, more prestigious school… so it’s challenging, but I think I’m handling it pretty well.
And basketball wise it’s definitely faster paced, and my coach is expecting a lot more from us, more than you think that he would. I think my second practice I had a little break down moment, but he helped me out, he was like, “you’re learning so many new things at once, you’re going to be frustrated. Everyone has their moments.” But since then, I’ve been doing pretty well in practice adapting to the difference in play. But I haven’t played in a game yet, because I had a little bit of a concussion.
How’s it going with the team?
It’s been going really well. Everyone is super nice and super welcoming. It’s actually like a second family. And basketball wise, I think after my senior season of high school, it was kind of like a low, in a way, because of how we ended. But it’s been so refreshing coming here and being able to have my love for basketball grow in ways it hasn’t before. It’s just been super nice.
It’s so nice that you have that culture and connection.
Coach definitely focuses on it a lot. We have culture meetings every week, and (as a player) on the team, you get a partner, and you do a power point about a special word towards our team; enthusiasm, courage, communication, stuff like that. And so, he definitely focuses a lot on the culture of our team, just to make sure we’re really connected with each other.
That’s so awesome! Did you know any of the other players before you came here?
I knew of a couple of the girls, like they played at other high schools or AAU teams, but I didn’t know them personally.
How did you choose UPS?
I chose UPS really because of the girls and the team and the coach…it’s the culture of our team, it’s just something I can’t even describe. It’s actually crazy how fast a group of people can make you feel so comfortable. There wasn’t like a lick of awkwardness, or uncomfortable anything. Like right when I got here, it was just immediate family. It was so nice. They really give you no room to sulk or be upset, because they make you feel so happy. It was the girls (that helped me decide UPS), and of course, being so close to home, but like, just far enough away.
What’s a day-in-the-life look like for you?
I usually wake up around 8:00am and then have class throughout the day until around 3:00pm. Then I have some down time until I head to practice around 7:00pm. Some days I shoot around or lift before or after my classes, but it depends on the day. We usually have either an hour, or 30-minute, meeting before practice, and then an hour and a half to two-hour practice. And then I get back to my room and usually I’m asleep by 11:00pm.
What do you do on your down time?
I usually hangout with some of my teammates or I catch up on sleep!
Let’s talk about some of your favorites…
Music?
Definitely a Drake girl. PARTYNEXTDOOR. Those two, are definitely my top two.
Pre-game would be Drake?
absolutely.
Movies?
Let’s see, movie wise, I watched Mamma Mia recently, first time, with my teammates, and TV, Dancing with the Stars. That’s been a big one. Huge one.
What about hobbies or other interests?
I haven’t found time to do things right now at college, but I love painting. And baking. But I can’t do much of either right now.
Since you’re still a freshman, do you know what you want to study?
I’m wanting to major in psychology, and one of my teammates is kind of pushing minoring in math, because I love math. So, psychology, and I think I might minor in math.
What challenges have you had so far this year?
Definitely my concussion recently. That was hard. We had a closed scrimmage…last Saturday, and I got a concussion, and…we had our first exhibition game on Friday, and I just got to warm up, but couldn’t play. I was trying to keep my attitude up for the team, and not show that I was upset that I couldn’t play. But, like I said the team made it so much easier, they played amazing. That was definitely my hardest challenge recently. Today if I pass my concussion test, I can go back to practicing, so I’m just hoping that I get to.
How is practice going for you?
I think I’ve been doing pretty well. (Coach) is definitely very much, if you know the defense, you’ll play, if you don’t you won’t. So, I’m still getting there on the defense. Offensively, I think I’ll be fine. And I understand the defense to an extent. It’s our press that’s confusing, especially coming from high school, and the press not being the same…the rotations are way different… they’re very specific depending on how the ball is moved. But I’m picking it up.
Do you have any advice for young athletes?
I would probably say come into college with an open mindset, because you’re going to learn so many different things. And if you come in thinking that you’re going to know everything right off the bat, you’re going to be stuck. And I also I feel like the conditioning is different, I would say workout a lot more than you think you should before you go to college, just so that you’re already a step ahead. I wasn’t a lot behind, but I wasn’t’ where I needed to be (condition wise), so it was hard. I wish I would have made it a little easier on myself before I got here.
Is there anything else that you’d like to share with young athletes?
When picking a school, find your people. Regardless of the level of basketball, or whatever sport you’re playing, just find your people. You can worry about all the sports stuff later, but if you don’t like the people you’re around, and they don’t make you feel good, you’re not going to enjoy your time. Also, make sure you think of yourself first before taking other people’s opinions. It’s always like, “You want to go Dl, you want to go this, you need to do that,” but you want to enjoy your time. I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently. When picking a college, it’s not about anyone else, it’s about you.
