Armstrong's Heather Kaluzniak makes state on 12th and final try

After four years of high school and 12 varsity seasons across three sports, Armstrong's Heather Kaluzniak thought that her chance to play in a state tournament might not ever happen.

A goalie for the soccer team, center for the hockey team and midfielder on the lacrosse team, Kaluzniak had experienced her share of disappointment. So when the lacrosse team began to win game after game, she allowed herself just a bit of hope, thinking this might be her chance.

She was right. The Falcons ripped off 14 consecutive victories and qualified for the state tournament. They played No. 2-seeded Blake in Tuesday's quarterfinals.

"Am I surprised? For me personally, absolutely." she said. "I've had 12 varsity seasons here and never played in a state tournament. But for this team? No. We've really come together and improved."

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked with Kaluzniak about her busy athletic career and the team that finally helped her to a state tournament.

Q: I heard you also won the Athena Award. Sounds like it's been busy year for you.

A: I've been super busy, but it's also been fulfilling. I didn't do the "senior slide," either. I took four AP classes – AP macroeconomics, AP physics, AP calculus and AP pschychology.

A: Right now, playing in a state tournament, it would be easy to say lacrosse. But I'm going to play soccer in college at St. Benedict, so I'll have to say soccer.

Q: Which one have you been playing longer?

A: Soccer.

Q: If you had started playing lacrosse earlier, would your answer be different?

A: I don't know. Maybe. All I know is that lacrosse is super fun. Once you pick up a stick, you can't put it down.

A: Oh, it's so nice! That's part of the reason I love it. Playing goalie also give me a little insight into what a lacrosse goalie is thinking.

Q: So you take the cerebral approach to scoring goals?

A: Sure.[laughs]. I combine that with my AP psychology class and outthink them.

Q: It seems to work [Kaluzniak has 13 goals and 16 assists]. What is your role on this team?

A: In our attack, we have Mari [Verbeten, who has 49 goals] and she's a great scorer. I've racked up a bunch of assists from feeding her. I score goals when she gets face-marked.

A: After about our seventh or eighth win in a row, I thought "Wow. We have a chance."

Q: Advice for younger athletes?

A: Stay competitive. Not just against others, but chiefly against yourself. Set your own bar high. Never be satisfied.

Q: Where does that attitude come from?

A: Probably my parents. You'd think I'd get some praise at home, but it's always "Good job. What are you going to do next?" [laughs]

A: I take my dog for a walk. He's an English cocker spaniel and his name is Scamp. He doesn't expect anything from me.