Women's Tennis

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Kyrstin Hanson, UW-Stout

Each week during the 2022-23 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Kyrstin Hanson    
Institution:  UW-Stout
Hometown (High School):  Sarona, Wis. (Rice Lake High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Women’s Tennis
Major:  Plastics Engineering


Why did you choose UW-Stout?
I was really interested in chemistry, but I did not want a chemical engineering degree, so I started looking around for a related engineering major. A friend had an older brother that went to UW-Stout and after she toured it, she suggested that I look into it as well. After realizing the amazing opportunities I would have in the plastics engineering program with regard to the lab equipment and hands on learning, I decided on UW-Stout.

What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I am currently the treasurer of the Society of Plastics Engineers chapter here on campus.
 
What causes do you care about?
Supporting our veterans and current active military members.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I think what I enjoy most about being in both the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being an NCAA Division III student athlete is both how competitive and laid back it can be at the same time. It helps to keep me active, and I have gained a great group of friends as well.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Rueben Basket with Onion Rings
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Chocolate Oreo Volcano
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  The lounge area outside of Fireside Cafe
Movie?  The Goonies
Holiday?  Halloween
Food?  Scallops
Musical Group/Artist?  The Bee Gees
Professional Sports Athlete/Team?  The Milwaukee Brewers
Vacation Spot?  Cannon Beach, Oregon
 
What is your greatest sports moment?
My greatest sports moment so far would be less of my own, and more of my teammates. My junior year of high school, we sent four girls to state and were only a few points off from team state. We had not sent anybody from tennis in years and getting to go down to Madison to support them was amazing.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
We like to go to Applebee’s for half apps and catch up on how everybody’s weeks are going. 
 
One word that describes your team?
Unique.
 
One word that describes you?
Driven.
 
What is your dream job? 
My dream job in my related field would have to be a quality engineer for a plastics company. If it were outside of what I am studying, it would have to be a boutique hotel owner.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Go to Ireland and tour a few castles.
---Spend a few weeks wandering around the Smithsonian.
---Attend a World Series game that the Brewers are actually in.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
I play both the piano and the clarinet and am trying to learn how to play the ukulele.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
No rituals or superstitions, but we always have a little pep talk and end it with “just hit the ball in the blue or the white” because that is what one of our graduated players used to tell us before each match and it’s stuck around.
 
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