Always finding the ball with a Grizzly Bear attitude!
Who Am I? As a Soccer Player:
A 5-Tool Game Changer!
Technical Ability.
One of the strongest strikers of the ball with both feet with a piercing striking range of 25+ yards to an upper corner and on a flat line. A smooth dribbler of the ball in the open field, or utilizing refined moves in tight spaces. The ability to pass the ball accurately and the right touch in tight spaces or make the penetrating pass on the run to a next level player, and can do it with either foot. Comfortable with receiving the ball under pressure and making the run/move required to maintain the momentum of the play.
Tactician/Decision Maker.
Ability to recognize the shape the defense is playing and adjusting to create more opportunities for my teammates and myself. A coach on the field that can manage the game so we win as a team. Can see the space between the defenders to open up the field for runs for myself and my teammates to penetrate the defense. Defensive approach designed to find balance between forcing bad passes and making the necessary tackles. A heads-up dribbler that can find the pass while on the run or in tight spaces.
Physical.
Have an extremely strong base and low center of gravity that provides support to all the tools in the open field or in contact - a Grizzly Bear approach. Relentless work ethic - can consistently play complete games with only situational rest periods while maintaining top level play throughout. Will typically cover the highest level of miles and most area in a game. Top level sprinter/runner, with great acceleration, mobility, and the ability to change direction or speed quickly to keep, find or get the ball.
Mental Game.
A game changer that can turn an opponent’s deflating goal into a quick opportunity to equalize. A Grizzly Bear attitude of unrelenting pressure, speed, quickness, and strength. A 360 degree awareness and high IQ of everything going on and the ability to process where things may take place next. Not afraid to make that hard pass, outside the box strike or game saving tackle in the defensive third to assist the defense, and lead the team to a win.
Attitude.
A fierce competitor (Grizzly Bear nickname), silent leader, a coach on the field, and a firm believer the best teams win, not the best players on a team. A belief that only I am responsible for my attitude and effort, and when it is not 110%, others are let down - teammates, coaches, friends and family. We win together and we learn together, and tomorrow gives us the chance to get even better than today. No giving up!
No Really, Who Am I? As a Person, and
as a Student/Athlete!
I am Hailee Christensen…
The PERSON
My name is Hailee Christensen and I am from the great state of South Dakota. Where most of our state is filled with farms, but we know how to play soccer. I do not just play soccer, I live for it and have ever since the first time I played. When I was young, I knew I wanted to play soccer, not just for fun, but as a part of my life. It was the only sport I wanted to practice and play more and more when I was young. I tried doing gymnastics, dance, softball, basketball and others, like all the other girls, but in middle school, I decided to focus on soccer and track. Playing soccer was kind of like my break from reality. If I was stressed I would juggle in my backyard or kick a ball against my bed frame. As I grew up, the game became more serious to me. I started practicing more and more to become a better soccer player and chase my dreams. My first dream was to win a national championship in club (done that), win a state tournament in high school (still trying), play as a freshman at a high level D1 program (working on this), and God willing, play professionally somewhere in the world (will see if the work pays off). Again, I have checked the national championship off the list, and hoping for another.
When I was 13, my family decided to leave their careers and move so I had better opportunities to play for a bigger club (they also moved so my brother had more opportunities for theater and dance). I was and still am dedicated to become the best player I can be until the last day I play. I have prided myself on being a very coachable player - a coach can tell me to try something in a game and I will do whatever he/she asked until it works. I also feel I am able to make fast and smart decisions while on the field. I know when it is the time to pass, dribble, and shoot. I am a team player as I will pass off easy shots for myself to a teammate with an even easier shot. The goal is for the team to score. With that being said, I am not afraid to take a game over and do what is necessary to help us win.
When I am playing against other teams, and a player from that team does something well or maybe I knock them down, I am the first person to check on them, tell them good shot or pass, or help them up, because sportsmanship is important to me.
People like to ask me, “What’s your favorite team” and “Who’s your favorite player”. I have come to realize that I do not have a favorite player or favorite team. I watch soccer games and specific players to watch a good game and learn something from that game. I love watching EPL games with my family on Saturday and Sunday mornings or MLS games in the summer, my dad is my high school coach, so we love to watch soccer games together. I especially love watching Rose Lavelle because she plays my position and plays it exceptionally well. I love being able to watch and learn her game and try to play like her in my games. Overall, I feel I have a unique set of skills on and off the soccer field that are very rare. I have my ability to play soccer at the highest levels, but I am also a kind, faithful and caring person.
The STUDENT ATHLETE
I am proud to be recognized as one of the most decorated players in South Dakota soccer history, even after missing the 2020 spring and summer seasons due to Covid and the entire spring, summer and high school seasons of 2021 due to injury. I have been a highly successful club and high school soccer player with invites to the Midwest Region Camp for ODP every year eligible, a three-time ODP Interregional player for the Midwest region, a national USYS Presidents Cup Champion and a Finalist, a USYS National tournament Golden Boot winner, a high school All-State soccer player as a freshman, broke 4 of 6 high school records in goals and assists during my freshman season, a two-time team captain, and I still have 2+ years of club and high school soccer ahead of me to even further leave my mark.
I am sprinter (100M, 200M, Sprint Medley, 4x100M and 4x200M) on my varsity High School track team and state qualifier in multiple events.
I am a student council member, and I am active in HOSA - Future Health Professionals Club and 2x National Qualifier.
I am a 4.0+ student (on a 94+% - 4.0 grading scale, no 90% counting as A’s or 4.0s at our high school) in a customized learning program with a mix of traditional and advanced classes. My focus currently is on Math and Science classes.