Introducing U: Hannah Marwede
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Hannah Marwede arrived at the University of Miami Sunday to begin her freshman year as a member of the Hurricane soccer team.
A defender from Lake Forest, Ill., Marwede talked with HurricaneSports.com about her first few days at The U, her excitement for the future and much more . . .
Q: What has it been like for you so far in Miami?
A: It’s been so different from around Chicago. It’s absolutely beautiful. Whenever I walk around I’m just smiling and I love it. The soccer has been really great. The older players have been helping us work on our fitness and they’ve just been so encouraging. I’ve basically been seeing athletes because that’s basically all there is [on campus] right now, but everyone [has made] it just a really cool community. Even people who aren’t on the soccer team, everyone is just super friendly and ready to make new friends. Everyone is welcoming.
Q: How much does it help that there are other freshmen who came here in the summer with you, as well?
A: It’s so helpful. I’m realizing how fortunate I am to have people to be able to go eat lunch with or to kind of struggle through finding things together. We all have the same English class. So that’s really nice, to just have who, we’ll be there for each other.
Q: What is it like after nearly three years of being committed, to actually be here and be a Hurricane officially?
A: Well, every year I’d just get more excited like every day and it’s better than I’ve imagined. So, it’s just lived up to everything and more, honestly.
Q: Are there any classes you’re taking so far that you like?
A: Well, my favorite class right now—I just had my first day Wednesday—is nutrition. Professor Wesley Smith, he’s really cool and it seems like an interesting class. He’s really passionate about it. It will be good for my major, I think, and it’s interesting so far.
Q: What is your major and how did you decide on it?
A: Chemistry is my major. I’m doing the pre-med track. I decided on that—I took chemistry for two years in high school. That’s the class that I just love and the class I really like to look into, outside of school. I just find it really interesting. So, that’s why decided on that.
Q: What are you most excited for about college?
A: I think I’m really excited about the classes. [There is] no better place to be studying sciences than in Miami, I feel like. So I’m just super excited about just learning in that area. I’m also super excited about soccer. I’ve never actually played for a school team, so I’m excited to be representing The U, playing under the lights and playing for the school. I love the team already, so that will be great. And, also, just meeting new people.
Q: What do you think it will be like the first time you take the field for an official match as a Hurricane?
A: I think it will feel kind of surreal. I don’t know. Wearing the jersey will be cool, and looking around and seeing my new teammates will be cool.
Q: What skills as a player do you think you have that can translate and potentially can help you contribute as a freshman?
A: I hope to use my height in the box or winning headers. I hope to bring that to help the team and I would love to [play] long balls. I hope to set up good plays to create good chances and just pass through the field. I don’t know, just stop the ACC forwards and keep the shutouts.
Q: What made you commit to Miami in the first place?
A: Science, soccer and the sun. Honestly, that’s what I thought—and I love the coach, [Mary-Frances Monroe]. I saw the practice and the practice was so intense and such a high level and I love that. I was on campus and I was just in awe of how pretty it was. [As for] the sciences, I want to do research, and so it was a great program.
To learn more about University of Miami soccer, follow @CanesFutbol.
