Backus Leaves Green River, Joins Evergreen State

By: Sarah Dees
Staff Writer

Several students were signed to play at four-year universities in the fall on sport scholarships, our own Alexis “Lucky” Backus being one of them.

Backus played for the Green River girl’s soccer team, but is soon to be transferring to Evergreen State College come August.

“It’s going to be a big change for me. I’ll be moving out on my own which will be a new experience and living in a brand-new city. I’ve grown up in Auburn since I was 2, so leaving will be a massive change,” Backus said.

Backus started playing soccer in the first grade. “My mom started yelling before every game, ‘Nobody baby! Nobody!’ she says this, so I know she’s there, and that nobody scores on me, and nobody loves me more,” Backus said.

Balancing school and working at a coffee shop is already a struggle and on top of that Backus has a sport she needs to practice for. Monday through Friday Backus spends roughly 20 hours a week practicing for weekend games.

“It can be a challenge sometimes, and the two schedules don’t always blend. But a lot of time management skills, along with understanding coaches and professors, makes that a lot easier,” Backus said.
Backus received a scholarship at not one but two colleges. Backus received a scholarship to play for two years at Green River College and after that she received a scholarship to play for four years at Evergreen State College, both in state.

Backus chose Evergreen State College to pursue a political science degree. “I would love to work on campaigns for local and state government runs,” Backus said.

Backus’ proudest moment playing soccer was at Green River College. During her freshman year, the team had only won one game the whole season. When Backus’ sophomore year came around the team won five games, four of the games were shutouts.  Meaning Backus was not scored on the whole game. She takes pride in not allowing teams to score on her.

In Backus’ freshman year at Green River College she was worried she peeked and that she had her best season. She worried that her abilities were not as good. But that was all mental and had nothing to do with her physical ability to play well out on the field.

“I had to train myself to believe that I’m right where I’m supposed to be and I’m playing for a reason,” Backus said in the interview.

Playing sports is fun, but you also need to have good teamwork, mentioned Backus. You are relying on your team to be there for you out on the field. Sometimes what happens on the field is not just teamwork, friendships form when you spend all your time together.

“The connections you make with people makes you a harder worker because you have teammates who push you to do your best, and the family dynamic we create during the season,” said Backus.

“The team from the past year, we all have a snapchat group and even though I’m not on the team anymore, we all still talk and have our inside jokes that no one else would laugh it,” said Backus. “You’re around a bunch of people who understand you, your struggles, and they will always be there for you at the end of the day.”

Although Backus will miss her old team at Green River, she is excited to meet new people and get back into the swing of things.

“I thought I would be done playing soccer when I finished at Green River in October, so it will be great to get back to playing,” Backus said. She is excited to meet and play with her new team in the fall.

Backus looks up to her mentor professional goalkeeper, Ashlyn Harris. “I’ve always looked up to Ashlyn Harris. She’s fearless on the field and a genuinely nice person off. I aspire to her level of ability.”

Some advice that Backus would give to future athletes is, “Enjoy it while you have it, play like it’s the last time you’ll get to. Coach Snow instilled that in me and that made me appreciate the role I was in much more. Take advantage of every team bonding, trip and document your time so you can look back.” Backus said.

Even though interviews were not conducted with the other players, here are some honorable mentions of the other students who got signed to University’s: Alex Sommerfield for men’s basketball at University of Fairbanks Alaska, Bo Moawad for men’s basketball at Mayville State University in North Dakota, Mitch Wetmore for men’s basketball at Evergreen State College in Washington, Dayna-Joy Calubaquib for women’s basketball at Dickinson State University in North Dakota, Kevin Baker for men’s basketball at Central Washington University, Tyce Miller for baseball at Bellevue University in Nebraska, and Eddie Aslanyan for men’s basketball, he is still currently deciding between two schools.