Laura Jenkins can’t do anything about her height, but she can always make sure her game is bigger than her stature.
The 5-foot-3 senior is among the key components for this year’s Providence girls’ soccer team, driving the team’s attack from her position in the midfield.
As part of its continuing “On the Spot” series, the Evening News and Tribune caught up with Jenkins to discuss the future of her career, her familiarity with her head coach and her take on a popular film.
QUESTION: It seems like soccer comes so naturally to you. Is it your main sport?
LAURA JENKINS: “I have other sports that I play. I do swimming and track, but I’d say soccer is definitely my main one.”
Q: You’ve been with your coach (Providence mentor Dave Smith) since you were eight years old with club ball and the high school team. How does that help on the field?
JENKINS: “It definitely helps. I know exactly how he coaches and he knows exactly how I play. More than anyone else, he knows my strengths and weaknesses, and that puts him in a position to help me with both.”
Q: Your strengths are pretty obvious, but what are your weaknesses?
JENKINS: “I work really hard all the time, because I’m not the ideal athlete. I’m short and I have short legs. I think people sometimes look at me and think I’m slow, so I love to be able to go out there and prove them wrong.”
Q: You have a nickname, and I was just wondering where it came from?
JENKINS: “Yeah, they call me Bird. I don’t really know where it came from or why, but coach Dave started calling me that when I first started. I mean, it was as soon as I walked out on the field when I was like 8-years old.”
Q: I always wanted a cool nickname, but I don’t think ‘Hey, moron’ counts. So, I would assume you are going to play in college?
JENKINS: “Hopefully I’ll play in college.”
Q: Nothing set in stone yet?
JENKINS: “I’ll say I’m keeping my options open. I’ve looked at Ashland (Oh.) and Centre College. I’m definitely looking at on the small-school side of things, maybe the Division II level.”
Q: Well, I’m going to ask you what you are going to study, but I think I already know. Physical therapy? Exercise science? A lot of athletes go that way.
JENKINS: “I’m into exercise, so that’s a possibility for sure. I’ve looked into exercise science, but you know I’d also like to go something with the environment. I’m into the whole ‘going green’ thing.”
Q: Do you drive one of those hybrid cars?
JENKINS: “Not yet, but I’d like to.”
Q: Maybe I would if saving the environment didn’t cost so much. Sorry…
JENKINS: “They are pretty expensive, maybe I can do something about that.”
Q: OK, what’s your favorite movie? I might know this one, too.
JENKINS: “It’s a tough question, but I’m going to say ‘Remember the Titans’”
Q: What? Not ‘Love and Basketball?’ What’s going on here?
JENKINS: “Not so much. It’s OK, I guess. But not really me.”
LAURA JENKINS
SCHOOL: Providence
GRADE: Senior
SPORTS PLAYED: Soccer, swimming, track
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ON THE SPOT: Laura Jenkins
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