Katie Kern would appear to be your ordinary Pepperdine student at first glance. She enjoys listening to John Mayer the color purple and eating macaroni and cheese.
But Kern is anything but ordinary.
This 18-year-old freshman is taking Pepperdine women’s lacrosse by storm – and making some waves in the classroom as well.
Kern has been playing lacrosse since her friend persuaded her to join her high school team as a freshman. In her five years of playing she has become passionate about a sport many athletes find difficult to play.
“Just being out on the field and feeling that rush when you catch the ball or feeling unstoppable when you sprint past every girl on the field makes every 8 a.m. practice worth it said Kern. And the fact that I have some of the most amazing teammates doesn’t hurt either.”
This Pennsylvania native gives credit to the Pensbury Penn. High School lacrosse team for helping her become the player she is today. “We often got jokes about how we ran more than the track team said Kern. But overall high school lacrosse is what got me into great shape and defined my work ethic today.”
Transitioning from any high school sport to the college level can be tough. However Kern has handled it just as she handles most situations — with ease.
“What makes it harder in college though is that the team isn’t as stable as high school level lacrosse said Kern, noting that Lacrosse at Pepperdine is a club sport. Mainly because of girls going abroad or being so busy with school work which can be difficult.”
Lacrosse Coach Melissa Utterberg said the team is going through a tough rebuilding season.
“Going through such an extreme season gives us fuel to build some upward momentum Utterberg added. We’re jumping on every opportunity we have to play lacrosse and to make sure lacrosse grows at Pepperdine and on the West Coast.
Kern expressed her love for the Pepperdine team and called it the quirkiest goofiest lacrosse team” she’s ever played on. “We’re aggressive scrappy and fast said Kern. What she loves most about the team though, is that they are relaxed. She says that is truly at the heart of the sport.
Kern also juggles a major in biochemistry. Right now I basically eat sleep and breathe science said Kern. Her dream job is to be a field biologist on the Galapagos Islands.
In addition to everything on her plate, Kern is also involved in Delta Gamma sorority and her dorm small group. She explained that being in a sisterhood is such a blessing.
Another activity that I love being involved in is my Darnell Small Group with my SLA Sarah Poblete said Kern.
Poblete referrers to Kern as The face of Darnell.”
“She has actively participated in all of our programs and her laughter and enthusiasm is contagious Poblete said.
When asked what she does in her spare time, Kern had a clear response: I don’t have spare time… I study.”
Kerns’ favorite part of freshman year has been getting to know her suite-mates and sorority sisters along with the “incredible” friends that have come into her life in the past few months.
“All of my wonderful classes and professors are a blast as well especially my Harry Potter freshman seminar said Kern with a smile.
There aren’t many moments when this girl doesn’t have a smile on her face.
Moving from Pennsylvania was definitely a hard choice said Kern. But I found that throwing myself completely into my life here has been a spectacular experience and made it easy for me to adjust.”
She shared some advice given her by her sorority big sister Rachel Lanier “Keep your head heart and feet all in the same place.” This little piece of advice has helped her to keep focus on what’s important.
“Katie is two years younger than me” shared Lanier. “But I look up to her in so many ways.”
Her future might include graduate school on the East Coast but for now she’s just focusing on the present and “the amazing life God has provided” for her this year at Pepperdine.
She also plans to continue playing lacrosse throughout college.
“Lacrosse is one of my absolute favorite sports and I can’t imagine not playing explained Kern. I am going abroad for the year next year but once I get back I hope I can help develop girls’ lacrosse to be an influential team on campus as well as an influential team in the league.”