Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1288673
FUN FACT: After winning gold, Rooney's position on her Wikipedia page was changed from "goaltender" to "Secretary of Defense." She later received an official congratulatory letter from U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis. Favorite place to eat in Duluth? Tavern on the Hill Dogs or cats? Dogs. What's your major? Business marketing. I want to specifically go into sports marketing. ? C S H O O T S : L e f t POSITION: THE SCHEPERS FILE Mound HEIGHT: COLLEGE: YOUTH HOCKEY: Ohio State Mound Westonka 5' 7" HOMETOWN: FUN FACT: 11 of my senior year, so it was late. I didn't have a lot of looks until the end of summer after my junior year. I had some interest to stay in Minnesota and some opportunities to go out east, but I really believed in Coach Muz (Nadine Muzerall) and her vision of where this program could go and creating this cul- ture and the school itself. She was all about getting the women's hockey team on par with the rest of the excellence here. And to play in the WCHA is huge. I get to go home just about every other weekend and my family can see me play there when they can't make it to Columbus. MHJ // What is the OSU culture all about, and how will you lead this year? Schepers // Our culture is all about being relentless. We have the four pillars of our team—relentless, choices, grateful and honor. That's something we try to live by every day. Being grateful for the opportu- nities that we have. Respecting the jersey, the school and the families we represent. And making the choic- es necessary to be all in all the time. The way our culture has grown the last couple years, it really runs itself. We hold each other accountable. Whenever you're put in a leadership position, it's all about doing things the right way yourself first before you can ask that of other people. I wouldn't ask someone to do something that I haven't already done or wouldn't do myself. MHJ // Who did you look up to as a youth hockey player? Schepers // When I was growing up, Taylor Kuehl was the first girl to play Division I hockey out of Mound, and she actually ended up coming to Ohio State. She was somebody our whole team really looked up to and loved going to watch. I think those local role models mean a lot here in Minnesota when your communities are so close. MHJ // What kind of player are you? Schepers // I focus on being responsible and being in the right place at the right time. I want to be a threat on the ice all the time. I play with two incredible playmakers, Tate and Emma. When they give you an opportunity to put the puck in the net, I want to put the puck in the net. I want the other team to know that no puck is an easy puck and I don't shy away from the hard work. MHJ // Did you have a chip on your shoulder coming from a smaller program? Schepers // A lot of people don't think Division I talent can come out of single-A schools or small towns. That's something that I always tried to prove wrong. No matter what community you come from in Minnesota, you can make it to this level. MHJ // So it must feel extra special to score against the Gophers. Schepers // There is nothing like beating Minnesota at Ridder. It's fun in Columbus, but it's even more fun at Ridder. Photos / Ohio State Athletics, Submitted Photo; Wikimedia Commons "A lot of people don't think Division I talent can come out of single-A schools or small towns. That's something that I always tried to prove wrong." O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M Liz's favorite athlete is Simone Biles. "She is the best at what she does. It's so impressive. There's no chance I could do what she does."