B1G Medal of Honor Finalist Spotlight: Katie Chase and Rhys Douglas – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
April 11, 2015
The winners of the prestigious Medal of Honor will be announced at the annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner Monday. Each member institution in the conference gives the Big Ten Medal of Honor award annually to the male and female student-athletes in the graduating class who have attained the greatest proficiency in both academics and athletics. The Big Ten Conference office established the award in 1914 for men and an additional award for the top female was instituted in 1982. The award includes a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Leading up to the announcement, the 10 finalists (five male, five female) will be featured on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Read below for a Q&A with women’s lacrosse standout Katie Chase and fencer Rhys Douglas.
Katie Chase, a native of Woodbine, Md., will leave Ohio State as one of the most decorated players in Buckeye women’s lacrosse history. Chase is a two-time All-ALC performer and is Ohio State’s all-time leader in draw controls. She is on pace to finish second on the school’s all-time list for goals and rank in the Top 5 in total points. Last season, Chase was an IWLCA All-West Region performer and led Ohio State with 49 goals and was second with 52 points. Off the field, Chase is a four-time Ohio State scholar-athlete and is double-majoring in human development & family science and sport & leisure studies. After graduation Chase hopes to attend graduate school and one day become a certified child life specialist.
Looking back at your time at Ohio State, what are some lasting memories you will take with you?
All of the endless times I have had with my friends and teammates over the last five years. From practices, to games and just hanging out all the time. They have made my time here more than I could ever imagine.
| Katie Chase |
What are some of the challenges that come with balancing athletics and academics, and how do you meet those tests?
Most of the challenges are with time management. It is important to use your time wisely and to stay on top of all of your classes. Having good communication with you teachers about school work always helps too.
Why did you choose your particular major? How do you plan to use your education in the future?
I knew I wanted to have a job where I am helping others and not sitting behind a desk, either working with children or for a sports team. Being a double major in human development and family sciences and sport and leisure studies prepares me for both of these options. Ultimately in the end, I want to be a certified Child Life Specialist using my knowledge of sports and play to help families and children overcome and cope with life’s most challenging events in a hospital.
Why did you choose to become a Buckeye?
From the first time I stepped on campus back in high school, I fell in love with the school and all of the traditions that came with it. I knew from that moment this was something I would want to be a part of for life.
If you could trade places with any teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
Being an attacker, I always tell one of our goalies, Freddy, that I will switch places with her so I know how it feels to be in the cage and get hit with our shots during practices.
What advice do you have for freshmen, just beginning their collegiate careers?
Enjoy and cherish every moment you can, make the most of it all and do not take anything for granted because your time here really does go by fast.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
The best place on campus is the top floor of Thompson Library, it’s always amazing to see the whole view of Ohio State from that high up.
If you could play any other sport at Ohio State, what would it be and why?
I think I would like to try swimming or diving. Those are two sports completely different from lacrosse and from being on a field. It is also unreal what divers can do.
Who is the person you admire the most?
I admire my parents for all of their unconditional love and support. Without them there is no way I would be where I am today. They manage to make it to every game and are always there for me no matter what.
What does it mean to you personally to be a Buckeye?
Personally to me, it’s a family that I now have for a lifetime. Once you are a Buckeye you will always be a Buckeye no matter where you are. It’s something that is always a part of you and leads you to have one of the biggest support systems in the world. Being a Buckeye is one of the best decision I have ever made.
Rhys Douglas, from Scottsdale, Ariz., is a four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and an Academic All-Big Ten selection. Douglas claimed gold at three Midwest Fencing championships and has made three NCAA Fencing championship appearances, where he finished 10th, 13th and 17th in sabre. Douglas will graduate with a degree in economics.
Looking back at your time at Ohio State, what are some lasting memories you will take with you?
Winning the 2012 NCAA championships is something I will never forget and am so proud to be a part of. Also, there are countless times where I performed poorly and my teammates were with me EVERY time to comfort me. Having those memories of my teammates helping me out is something I will cherish forever.
| Rhys Douglas |
What are some of the challenges that come with balancing athletics and academics, and how do you meet those tests?
The biggest challenge is not having enough time throughout the day. Athletes are constantly “on the go” and it can become overwhelming very easily. The key is to develop time management skills. I personally have a giant calendar whiteboard in my room to write all my deadlines, exams and tournaments so I have constant reminder of what I need to do.
Why did you choose your particular major? How do you plan to use your education in the future?
I chose my majors because they complement each other and I have a passion for the financial markets. As a child, my father was always talking about the markets and it always intrigued me. I want to use my education to, hopefully, own a successful hedge fund or be a financial adviser. I also have a passion for teaching so I always imagine myself teaching (potentially high school level) when I retire to help ready students for college.
Why did you choose to become a Buckeye?
When I visited Ohio State I loved the amount of resources available to students. I also knew many fencers on the team and I felt like Ohio State was the best fit for me compared to other universities.
If you could trade places with any teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
Devon Reina, because I have no musical talent whatsoever and he is really good at playing the guitar. I could spend a day jamming out!
What advice do you have for freshmen, just beginning their collegiate careers?
Set the tone for the rest of your college career – start strong. Make sure you are setting attainable goals; the first semester is always the most important. It establishes your reputation in the classroom and on the team. Make sure you are doing what you need to be doing before you have fun.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
Fisher Campus. It has really nice classrooms and is quiet, which helps me study.
If you could play any other sport at Ohio State, what would it be and why?
Tennis. I played tennis growing up and I still play occasionally at Ohio State with my brother.
Who is the person you admire the most?
There are two people. The first is my father, Adrian Douglas, who is the hardest worker and the smartest person I have ever seen. The second is my girlfriend, Nina Stackhouse, because she supports me tremendously in everything I do and has helped me through enormous struggles in life when it might have been easier to leave me. She helps me view the world differently, in a more positive manner and is an incredible human being!
What does it mean to you personally to be a Buckeye?
It means walking into a room anywhere in the world and finding someone who is a Buckeye and having a huge family around the world. I have established close friendships during my time at Ohio State and I feel like my Buckeye family is always behind me, supporting me in whatever I do.
