SPORTS

Tuesday, OcTOber 18, 2022

PAGE 16

Photo by Isabel Bonebrake isabel.bonebrake@marquette.edu First-year defender Tristan Ronestad-Stevens attempts a shot on net in Marquette’s 1-1 draw against UConn Oct.15 at Valley Fields.

Bringing kicks and tricks to MU

Defender learns love for shoes, style, clothing from mom Cook brings U.S. Youth National team experience to MKE

By Ava Mares

ava.mares@marquette.edu

Last summer Tristan Ronnestad-Stevens, a first-year defender from Perth, Australia, had his first real taste of the United States: a hot dog at a Milwaukee Brewers game.

“It was like Dollar Dog night, so me and my roommates, (Kyle Bebej, Mitar Mitrovic and Ludvig Malberg) had a couple too many hot dogs, but it was pretty fun,” Ronnestad-Stevens said. “It was a nice taste of what it must be like to be an actual American.”

But there is one thing about the States that RonnestadStevens simply cannot get behind.

“In America, I’ve seen a lot of people when they go out to class, they’ll basically be wearing their pajamas. It’s different at home (Australia), because I wouldn’t say they dress up, but they put on real clothes,” Ronnestad-Stevens said. “It’s funny because I’ll actually be wearing clothes and everyone’s like, ‘Why are you dressed up?’ But it’s a normal thing for me.”

“Dressing up” is a daily occurrence for Ronnestad-Stevens and his style has begun to WEAR off on his American teammates.

“Since he’s dressing nicer, sometimes I got to put together a nice outfit as well,” Bebej, a first-year defender and roommate of Ronnestad-Stevens, said. “Usually in high school I would wear sweatpants or something, but now I’ve embraced jeans, slacks or a pair of khakis.”

No matter the fit, it’s the kicks that make or break a look. Luckily, RonnestadStevens has a plethora of shoes to choose from.

“I brought about 10 pairs with me and probably another 10 at home that couldn’t fit in the suitcase when I came over,” Ronnestad-Stevens said. “I had to leave some behind. It was a tough choice, but I just brought my favorite ones over.”

From Jordans and Nike Dunks to New Balance and Converse, Ronnestad-Stevens’ love for footwear is in his blood.

“I definitely got my shoe addiction from my mom,” Ronnestad-Stevens said. “My mom has too many shoes to even count. She has always been wearing nice shoes and stuff. She’s always been an influence on me in the style department.”

Just as his mom influenced his fashion, Ronnestad-Stevens’ grandma influenced his love for the game of soccer.

“When I was younger, my grandma was really into football (soccer), I was watching it a lot. So that’s how I got into soccer,” Ronnestad-Stevens said.

The Australian native surely has style off the field, but it doesn’t end there. As a player, Bebej describes Ronnestad-Stevens as a calm, yet unafraid presence.

“He has a certain style to his play, a calmness as well. Whenever he’s defending, he’s not afraid to go into a tackle. It’s the best of both worlds,” Bebej said.

Ronnestad-Stevens arrived at Marquette after a teammate from his Australian club put him in contact with assistant head coach Sean Hughes.

“Tristan was recommended to us first as a person. We knew we’d be getting a guy who is mature for his age and really competitive on the ball,” Hughes said. “Overall, in terms of personality, fits in really well with the group of lads. He has traveled a little bit as well in the world, he’s got a good perception of different cultures and I think he’s brought that personality to our program for sure.”

Back in Australia, Ronnestad-Stevens played with much older talents, where he developed some of his “mature nature,” Hughes shared.

“There’s also a big mental component and different level of maturity. There’s a lot of pressure on a younger player immediately, so I think that prepared him to come to college where obviously there’s

European Style

By John Leuzzi

john.leuzzi@marquette.edu

Isabella Cook grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois but played soccer on the biggest stage.

Cook played for the U-18, U-19 and U-20 U.S. Women’s Soccer Youth National team.

“It brought some of the better players in the country together,” Cook said. “That was a high-intensity experience for me and it made me a better person.”

Cook said it was through an Olympic Development Program camp in Illinois, while she was still in middle school, that she was discovered by scouts from the U.S. National Team.

The Olympic Development Program identifi es and develops the best youth soccer players in the country. It promotes players to the U.S. National Teams, which represent the United States in international competition.

Cook called representing her country on the national stage “the best experience” that she has had.

“I was really honored,” Cook said. “I remember when I got the email that I was invited to camp, I was so excited. It really made me want to push myself harder if I wanted to keep going.”

Simultaneously with the U.S. National Team, Cook enrolled at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The decision to enroll in the “world’s most prestigious sports, performance and educational institution” was two-sided for Cook.

Aside from competing at IMG, Cook had to start training outside the national team.

“I knew if I wanted to keep going to the camps, I would have to keep getting better,” Cook said.

This led to her private trainer, Nick, who played professional soccer in Greece since he was 16 years old. “He basically molded me into the player I am,” Cook said. “He really brought a European style of soccer for me