Once swing is confident, Shakopee foes beware

Shakopee junior Alex Schmid has her sights set on a return trip to the Class 3A girls' golf state tournament.

A year ago she finished tied for 18th place, 17 strokes back of the medalists. Schmid would like to climb into the top 10 this year.

Here is a closer look at Schmid, who also swims for the Sabers:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "Crazy Stupid Love." Ryan Gosling is in it.

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... any Taylor Swift song, she is my favorite, and "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction.

Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Gullible, smiley, caring. -- teammate Lindsey Anderson

How do you balance school and sports during the year? It gets tough, especially because I miss so much school for golf. I don't get much down time, but when I do have free time, I like to relax and watch movies or sleep. I try to stay caught up and talk to my teachers. It is hard work, but I hope it all pays off.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... excited and nervous at the same time because I felt like I had to really impress my coaches as only a seventh-grader.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Qualifying for the state golf tournament in 2011, and being selected to the Ryder Cup Junior Academy in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in July of 2011.

Favorite meal before a meet?

Subway. I get it before every golf tournament and every swim meet.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when ... I am confident in my swing. When I play well the first few holes, and I gain a few strokes on someone who has a reputation for being a good golfer. Then I know that I can play at their level or better.

When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do? Relax, find a place in the hot sun on the beach.

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... successful, graduated college, with a nice house, preferably on the beach in Florida.

Do you have a secret talent -- and if so, what is it? I wish I did!

What is the best sports advice you ever received? After sections in 2011, my high school golf coach gave me the "Not too high, not too low" speech that I will never forget. It means that you can't get too excited when you are playing well because then you will start to think about your score and get ahead of yourself, and you can't get too frustrated when you aren't playing well because you will only play worse if you are in a bad mood. Just stay in the moment, hit your shots and keep your emotions in check.