Sept. 11, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Miranda Kulp, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - While starting every game for the Nittany Lions' women's soccer team and excelling in Penn State's agricultural engineering program, Kori Chapic shines both on and off the field.
Last season, Chapic punched in the third most minutes on the field and continues to put in hard work and dedication as the 2014 season rolls. Her excellence comes as no surprise. Chapic earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in both 2012 and 2013.
Kori Chapic is the all-around definition of leadership.
"Agricultural engineering is a passion of mine," she said. "When you have something that is a passion of yours, like soccer, it seems less of a job and more of something you do for fun. It's a lot easier dedicating the time and managing it because you enjoy it and want to be involved."
Not only is Chapic a serious student and tremendous athlete, but she is also a member of a few leadership programs on campus. Chapic is one of 30 students in her class who were selected to the Presidential Leadership Academy and is also involved in the Athletic Director's Leadership Institute, or commonly known as ADLI.
"I just love staying active," said Chapic. "I want to make use of everything this school has to offer since Penn State is full of opportunity."
Staying committed and continuing to better herself on and off the field, Chapic stepped up and became a role model on the team for her senior season.
"Kori is the ideal student athlete," said head coach Erica Walsh. "She's grown both technically and tactically the last few seasons. But most importantly, she has grown as a leader on this team."
Chapic moved from Russell, Ohio to become a Lion. However, her passion for Penn State is rooted back to when she was a little girl.
She explained how she fell in love with Happy Valley when she was younger and on a college visit for one of her two older sisters. When it was Kori's turn to find her school, she noted that both Penn State's amazing engineering program and highly competitive soccer program won her over.
"I was told when it's the right field and the right team you'll know. I fell in love with the school as soon as I stepped foot on it," said Chapic.
Playing alongside Chapic is one of her best friends, and roommate, classmateKindrah Kohne.
"Since freshman year, she has always been my sounding board for anything going good or bad in my life," Kohne said. "It's fun always having her around."
Competing the last four years together has led the pair to become extremely close. The two have been a part of the women's soccer team since their freshman year and continue to put as much effort into their schooling as they do soccer.
"We both are each other's motivation factors," Chapic said. "When I see her working so hard in the classroom, it makes me want to be better. I look up to her as a person and as a friend."
Known as one of the hardest workers on the team, Chapic works through any challenge that comes her way. Chapic handles everything that is thrown her way with ease and determination.
Walsh stated that Chapic is essential to the team because of her mental strength to not only accept any challenge, but to conquer it, as well.
Chapic and the other Nittany Lions are prepared and excited to go back on the road for this weekend's matches at Purdue and Indiana.
It's Chapic's motivation for success that keeps the Lions doing their best, reminding them to embrace every challenge thrown their way.
"Part of what keeps me motivated is this team," she said. "It's about having a great team and great chemistry. We're a family that sets expectations for each other and we want the best for one another."