Getting to Know...Akron's Jordan Baranowski
Jordan Baranowski is a senior midfielder for the Akron Zips. Last season as a junior, she was named Second Team All-MAC as the Zips tied for second place in conference. In the early going this season, Jordan tallied a goal in her team's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Morehead State. Akron looks to shake off that loss and get back into the win column Friday night when they welcome Canisius to Lee Jackson Field. Their weekend will conclude with a game at Ohio State on Sunday evening.
1. What are your goals for this season? This is my last year so I have many goals for this season. I want to get into the MAC Tournament and also win the MAC Conference. I also hope to be regionally ranked and go far in the NCAA tournament.
2. Do you have higher expectations going into this season than last?
I have higher expectations going into this season and expect our team to go much further than we did last year. We have a lot of great players that came in this year and there is so much competition within our team. Everyone is stepping up and working hard because we now know what it takes to get to the next level.
3. What were you up to this summer?
This summer I started bartending at my dad's restaurant back in Pittsburgh. I also took a summer class to make my schedule easier for my senior year. I went on some fun vacations, hung out with friends, and worked out to get myself in shape for season.
4. What was your youth sports highlight?My youth sports highlight was when my high-school soccer team won the state championship my junior year. It was a special moment because we were the underdog team and beat the number one team in the nation.
5. What is your favorite TV show? Why? My all-time favorite TV show is Friends. I own all the series and I never get sick of it. It always makes me laugh and I watch it almost every night before I go to bed.
6. Besides soccer, what sport would you have pursued for a college scholarship?
If I pursued another sport besides soccer it would have been basketball. I played ever since I was little and I loved it. I still miss playing and wish I could have done both sports.
7. What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
My favorite vacation spot is Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. My family has a condo there and we've been going for many years now. The weather is always gorgeous, the beach is amazing and you can't beat the food. It's always a great spot to get away with the family and friends.
8. What reality TV show would you most like to be on?
The reality TV show that I have always wanted to be on is the Real World/ Road Rules Challenge on MTV. I'm a very competitive person and every time I see the show I just want to play in the challenges.
9. If you were a professor, what would you teach?
If I was a professor I would teach some type of math class. I always enjoyed math more than any other subject.
10. What is your most memorable moment in sports, either as an athlete or as a sports fan?
My most memorable moment in sports is when I got to witness the Steelers win the Super Bowl in 2008. It was one of the best times I've ever had and the game was so close the entire game. My whole family went and it was definitely a memory I will never forget.