Thoughtful Thursdays - 8 Questions with Kylie Ohlmiller
Today we share with
you my interview with Kylie Ohmiller.
If you are a lacrosse fan and you don’t know who KO is you have been
living under a rock. She was a
Tewaaraton Award finalist in 2018 and she set the NCAA career record for
points with 498. She also holds the
assist record with 246 helpers and the single season NCAA points record of 164 points and 86
assists.
Kylie was also the #1
draft pick of the New York Fight of the WPLL. She was also nominated in 2018 for the NCAA Woman of the
Year Award.
Besides being one of
the greatest players of all time, Kylie also spends a lot of time helping the
next generation of girls lacrosse players.
Please share this
interview and please click on all the links in this article to help Kylie in
her mission to help other girls to Dream Big.
1. What helped make you into the great player you became?
In today’s world too
many people focus on specialization - lacrosse becomes your job. I loved playing multiple sports and I
never lost my passion for the game.
I was constantly wanting to get better. I would lose myself in
a bucket of balls. As a 9 year
old I fell in love with cradling a ball and I never lost that.
I always believed
that: A Stick + Ball = Endless
Opportunities
I would come up with
new wall ball routines - I would make it fun and be creative.
Even today, there is
nothing better than listening to some tunes while getting lost in a bucket of
balls.
Watch this video of Kylie
“getting lost in a bucket of balls”
2. What advice would you
give your 14 year old self today?
There is so much more
out there for you to accomplish.
Don’t take your foot off the gas.
Put in the hard work.
No dream is too big!
Kylie is not kidding around - Dream Big is part
of her KO17 Brand!!
3. What is your definition of a great player?
I would say there are
few things that come to mind.
First, you could have all of the talent in the world, but if you are not
a good teammate you won’t ever reach your full potential. Secondly, you need to fill any role a
coach asks of you. Joe Spallina
used to say - “Don’t be a one trick pony.” Be versatile and be valuable.
4. If you could make one change in the game today what would it be?
I would change the eye
black rule in girl’s high school lacrosse.
Note: For those who
may not be aware, there is a specific rule in girl’s HS and Youth lacrosse (not
a rule in college) that your eye black can only be the width of your eye. Kylie has a signature eye black look and she thinks all girls should have the opportunity to look however they
want. There is no rule like this
for boys lacrosse.
 |
| Even her Bobble Head has Eye Black! |
5. If you had one thing you wish you had done differently in your
career what would it be?
I took a turn on
fitness and nutrition halfway through college. In my sophomore year I had the realization that I could have
done more. That summer I dialed in
nutrition and made fitness a huge priority. This way I never had to worry about being in great shape - I
knew I was in great shape. I wish
I had started on this path earlier.
6. Is there one moment where you had to overcome some real adversity
and if so how did you do it?
One thing that has
definitely shaped me was all of our 1 goal season ending losses. To this day I have a different mindset
because of those losses. My
mindset is to do at least two more of whatever I need to do. If I am going to do 10 sprints, I’ll do
2 extra. I want to push myself a little
bit more so I don't have to endure another 1 goal loss. The reason I do 2 is if I only do one
more that makes it a tie, if I do two we win the game!
7. Where can we stay in touch with you most on social media?
You can also check me out on my YouTube Chanel - KO17 Lacrosse YouTube
8. Who should we interview next and what question should we ask them?
Your next interview
needs to be with Michele Tumolo (Syracuse University All-American, Team USA
Player and current Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Wagner). Please ask her what her favorite
scene/quote from a sports movie is and why!! Tumolo is on the clock!!
