March Player Spotlight: Sten Jernudd

Preface Note: A talented midfeilder from Lakeside High School Washington, Sten also competes for the Seattle and West Coast Starz. Before playing for NCAA Ivy league powerhouse Cornell next season, Sten will compete for Sweden in the 2010 World Games in Manchester England and is the March player spotlight.

How old were you when you first started playing lacrosse, and who got you into it?

I first began playing lacrosse in Maryland before moving to Seattle in 4th grade. I started playing on a local team in 3rd grade because all of my best friends were playing and I just fell in love with the sport immediately.

When did you first start considering Cornell?

I first started considering Cornell November of my Junior year when I was recruited after a West Coast Starz trip to Maryland. Coach DeLuca contacted me after he saw me play and I visited in January with my dad and ended up loving everything about the school and the program.

What role did Starz play in the recruiting process?

Scott Hochstadt, Xander Ritz, Fred Wilmot, and everyone else in the Starz family really helped me with the recruiting process. Without Starz I would never have gotten the looks from colleges that I did, and I am really thankful for everything they did for me throughout the process. They were definitely an invaluable help to all of us in the Starz program.

What are your goals as a collegiate player at Cornell?

I really just want to get on campus and contribute any way I can to the program. One of my biggest dreams would be to win a national championship, but I just hope to get out there and work as hard as I can and hopefully contribute to the team as much as possible.

You're going to be competing in the Lacrosse World Cup this summer for Team Sweden, tell us a little bit about that, and what you're looking forward to.

Playing in the World Games this summer will definitely be a HUGE honor for me and I am really excited to participate. My dad's whole side of the family is Swedish and so I'm a dual-citizen, and having the opportunity to represent Sweden on that stage will be awesome. The international game and rules are definitely an adjustment though, but hopefully I can get out there and play well.

What has been your best lacrosse memory so far as a player?

My best lacrosse memory so far has to be all the tournaments and stuff with West Coast. Playing with all those kids is awesome and I love playing for Scott, Xander, Mario, Jesse, Jason, Tark, and basically everyone else from the West Coast family. Starz has done so much for me, and I've had nothing but terrific experiences in all those tournaments.

How has the lacrosse scene in Washington changed since you first started playing, and where would you like to see it go?

Lacrosse in Washington has definitely grown exponentially since I moved here. We went from like 6 high school teams to having our own Pro Team! The growth has been awesome to see. But in terms of future growth I'd love to see more and more kids go back east to play in college, and I'd also love to see some of PAC-10 schools get D1 programs.

Who is the college/pro lacrosse player that best embodies your style of play?

To be honest I don't really know whose style of play I emulate, but I really like how Max Seibald plays. His fearlessness and leadership on the field is something that is really admirable.

You also play basketball for your HS Lakeside, who's your favorite basketball player and why?

My favorite basketball player definitely has to Brandon Roy. He's a terrific player and can play four positions for his team. He's Seattle's favorite basketball son, and I just love the way he plays. He's always in control and doesn't dominate with one thing in particular; it's all the little things he does well that makes him so good.
What has been the coolest place you've travelled, and where would you like to go one day
My favorite place to travel is Sweden when we go back each summer to see family. I have a lot of great memories from our family trips there, and it's just a great place to be during the summer.

Do you have an idea of what you want to major in at Cornell?

I plan on majoring in Applied Economics and Management at Cornell which hopefully could help lead me into a business career. I loved my Economics class I took this year, and I decided it was something I'd really like to major in at Cornell.

What five songs would you put on your pre-game warmup mix?

Hmm this is a tough one. If I only could choose 5 songs, I'd probably go with:
California Vacation by The Game
Make It Hot by Wiz Khalifa
Shoot Me Down by Lil Wayne
In Between Us by Scarface, and Vacation by Jeezy.

If you could sit down to dinner with three historical figures/celebrities(alive or dead) who would it be and why?

Another tough one! I'd probably say Abraham Lincoln because he was such a terrific leader and I'd like to ask him all about leading through adversity and sticking up for what you believe in. Then my second choice would be Biggie Smalls because he is (in my opinion) the greatest rapper ever and I'd love to ask him how he came up with such witty rhymes and verses. Then the third would probably be Lebron James because he literally has the weight of a whole state on his shoulders and he is so consistent in carrying his team night-in and night-out.

Who is the cooler Cornellian? Andy Bernard(The Office) or Bill Nye (The Science Guy)?

15) Bill Nye for sure!