XI with… Ansley Throener

Welcome to XI with… where I ask the same 11 questions to high school soccer players from across the state. If you are listening to the podcast version, please excuse my lack of voice. Without further ado, here’s XI with… Ansley Throener of Lincoln Southwest.

*The following has been edited for clarity.*

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1. Of course, in Nebraska, we have all sorts of weather in the spring. Do you have a least favorite element to play in, whether that’s rain, snow or wind?

Honestly, I would say really hot or really windy. I feel like cold, you can always warm up, and snow and rain are kind of fun to play in, but heat just completely drains me, and I can’t play in it.

2. Outside of soccer, what’s something you’ve gotten way too competitive about?

Probably sand volleyball, because our team does a lot of team bonding sand volleyball, and I’m honestly not very good at it, but I get really competitive about it.

3. What usually is a good indicator that it’s going to be a good night for you?

Usually, if I have high energy and I’m not too sore from other games, I know I’m feeling pretty good, and also seeing the first shot go in definitely helps. 

4. All right, what’s something you do differently than most people?

I would say a pregame thing that I do is I usually say a quick prayer. It really helps me and makes me a little bit calmer before the game, and helps me focus on the positive things over the negative. 

5. What’s just a player team you actually got your way to watch, and what do you like about them?

For high school, I really enjoy watching Marian. I know a few of the girls from my club soccer team, and they’re just such a great team every year, and it’s just, I love watching them because I know a lot of them, and it’s just fun to see them do well. 

6. What’s something special about high school soccer in Nebraska that people outside of the state wouldn’t expect?

I feel like it’s just how connected all the teams are. I think you could talk to anyone; they know people on all the Lincoln teams, a lot of the Omaha teams. It’s just kind of — it’s like one big, small town. Like, everyone just kind of knows each other. 

7. What’s a game or moment from your time playing soccer that you’re probably going to remember for a long, long time?

For me, it’s probably my freshman year winning (the state championship) for the first time. As a freshman, I didn’t really think I’d even play. Just being a part of such a big win for Southwest and a close one too, with the last-minute goal and the PK shootout, it was just a really crazy win, and it was so fun. 

8. Over the last couple of years, what’s something you’ve changed your mind about?

I think before, I would focus more on playing well and trying my best not to make mistakes, or I would try to just play a perfect game. I think recently I’ve just shifted my focus towards trying to win, having fun, and just playing soccer. Usually, as a result, I’ve played better because of that. 

9. Typically, with these all spring long, we’ll be asking 11 questions. Nine of them will be exactly the same. One of them I picked specifically for you. How has being a multi-sport athlete benefited you on the soccer pitch?

It’s definitely benefited me a lot. I used to play basketball, and it’s helped me improve my defense in soccer a lot because, honestly, defense was like the only thing I was good at for basketball. So, bringing that to soccer, it’s definitely helped me in 1v1s and just getting better at defending. 

10. What is the best school lunch that Omaha Westside has to offer?

Oh, that’s a tough one. I honestly don’t like school lunches, but the one exception is the school pizza. It’s pretty good.

Is there a reason why, and what’s your favorite? 

Honestly, there isn’t really a reason. It’s just the only thing that I tolerate, but I would say the pepperoni pizza is good.

11. Finally, this is what I call the pass-along question. Since you’re the first person on the girls’ side, we don’t have another player to give you this question. So our own Ann Carlson wrote a question for you. How has the culture of Lincoln Southwest contributed to back-to-back state titles?

I mean, honestly, I think it’s just helped us focus on playing for each other and doing well for each other instead of focusing more on ourselves. It’s just been so fun developing relationships, and it makes celebrating the wins so much more fun. 

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I want to thank all of you for checking out the latest edition of XI with… Be sure to check out our online store and buy some “Chasing Morrison.” merch, and if you’re out in the heat today, drink plenty of water. I will talk to you next week for the next edition of XI with…