Colorado University Athletics
Senior defender Olivia Aschman
Photo by: Mark Burch
Aschman Making The Most Of Summer
August 17, 2018 | Lacrosse
BOULDER - For some student-athletes, summer is a time to take a break from the daily grind of athletics and academics, but for others, it's a time to get ahead; and that is exactly what Olivia Aschman is doing.
The senior defender on the University of Colorado lacrosse team has been taking summer classes and has also been putting time in in the weight room voluntarily.
"I took a class in June and July and an online class for 10 weeks as well," Aschman said. "Taking classes this summer was a way to get some credits out of the way and some harder, challenging classes done so that going into the school year, it would help free up my senior year. I wouldn't be as academically stressed, so I'll be able to enjoy my senior year and to put more focus into lacrosse."
Aschman's work ethic over the last three years is something that Colorado head coach Ann Elliott has noticed and appreciates as the Cary, N.C. native heads into her final campaign.
"From day one, Olivia has been such an impact player for our program and really is an unsung hero in many ways," Elliott said. "On the field she's incredibly smart, she works hard, both on the field and in the classroom, and really flies under the radar for us. We've had so many talented members of our team on defense and in the goalkeeper position and I think Olivia is one of those. She doesn't get all the recognition that some of our other players have gotten, but she definitely is the core of our defense, and is just a player that always wants to be better and puts her team first. She does all the little things and we are really excited to see what she does in her senior year."
Unlike other sports programs like football and basketball, lacrosse athletes are not required to take summer classes and therefore are not required to participate in workouts. Aschman, as well as others, decide to use this time to take classes so they can graduate on time. Student-athletes can also spend time in the weight room with the supervision of the strength coaches.
"The past couple summers when I've been home, I didn't have access to some of the heavier weights that I do here, and I didn't really have a program at my neighborhood gym," she said. "So, I thought that this would help me really focus in on getting stronger, so instead of starting at ground zero come August and September, I'm already a couple steps further."
Between getting ahead academically and in the weight room heading into her senior season, Aschman isn't leaving anything to chance.
"I just felt going into my senior year, I didn't want there to be any should have/could have kind of things, so I just figured this was the best way to do it," she said. "There are great facilities here and everyone is willing to help you. Also, I just felt like this would be a good opportunity to take advantage of all the options, both in class and in athletics."
Aschman has been a three-year starter for the Buffs and is looking to make the most out of her last season. She is one of two returning defenders and has played in every game since joining CU. She has been an important part of a dominate defense which has been ranked in the top 20 each of her three seasons. In 2017, CU held its opponents to 9.90 goals per game and in 2016, CU's opponents only averaged 8.10 goals per game. As a freshman in 2015, Aschman helped CU hold its opponents to 7.00 goals per game.
"I think for me a driving force in wanting to work hard (this summer) is that I know all the other seniors and other people on the team, wherever they are, at home or in Boulder, they are all out there working hard as well.
It's also not hard to be motivated with some of the great defenders that have paved the way for Aschman at CU.
"I saw people like Molly (Rovzer), Kelsey (Garrison) and Sarah (Brown) working hard and always trying hard to get better; working hard in the off season," Aschman said. "They definitely demonstrated to me what it takes to always keep improving and being a good leader."
Every season since its inception, the Buffs have shown improvement, and Aschman doesn't want this year to be any different.
"I would like us to obviously keep improving and I would like myself to keep improving also as I think this year will be different," she said. "We lost a lot of really key players, so I would like to see my senior class lead and step into this new role that we've never really had before."
Aschman is on track to graduate this May in integrative physiology. An excellent student, she carries a GPA greater than 3.70. But this likely won't be the end of her education.
"I think eventually I would like to go to a graduate school, whether it be medical school or pursuing a Ph.D. or some other degree," she said. "I definitely enjoy learning, I just have to figure out what exactly to do with that."
The senior defender on the University of Colorado lacrosse team has been taking summer classes and has also been putting time in in the weight room voluntarily.
"I took a class in June and July and an online class for 10 weeks as well," Aschman said. "Taking classes this summer was a way to get some credits out of the way and some harder, challenging classes done so that going into the school year, it would help free up my senior year. I wouldn't be as academically stressed, so I'll be able to enjoy my senior year and to put more focus into lacrosse."
Aschman's work ethic over the last three years is something that Colorado head coach Ann Elliott has noticed and appreciates as the Cary, N.C. native heads into her final campaign.
"From day one, Olivia has been such an impact player for our program and really is an unsung hero in many ways," Elliott said. "On the field she's incredibly smart, she works hard, both on the field and in the classroom, and really flies under the radar for us. We've had so many talented members of our team on defense and in the goalkeeper position and I think Olivia is one of those. She doesn't get all the recognition that some of our other players have gotten, but she definitely is the core of our defense, and is just a player that always wants to be better and puts her team first. She does all the little things and we are really excited to see what she does in her senior year."
Unlike other sports programs like football and basketball, lacrosse athletes are not required to take summer classes and therefore are not required to participate in workouts. Aschman, as well as others, decide to use this time to take classes so they can graduate on time. Student-athletes can also spend time in the weight room with the supervision of the strength coaches.
"The past couple summers when I've been home, I didn't have access to some of the heavier weights that I do here, and I didn't really have a program at my neighborhood gym," she said. "So, I thought that this would help me really focus in on getting stronger, so instead of starting at ground zero come August and September, I'm already a couple steps further."
Between getting ahead academically and in the weight room heading into her senior season, Aschman isn't leaving anything to chance.
"I just felt going into my senior year, I didn't want there to be any should have/could have kind of things, so I just figured this was the best way to do it," she said. "There are great facilities here and everyone is willing to help you. Also, I just felt like this would be a good opportunity to take advantage of all the options, both in class and in athletics."
Aschman has been a three-year starter for the Buffs and is looking to make the most out of her last season. She is one of two returning defenders and has played in every game since joining CU. She has been an important part of a dominate defense which has been ranked in the top 20 each of her three seasons. In 2017, CU held its opponents to 9.90 goals per game and in 2016, CU's opponents only averaged 8.10 goals per game. As a freshman in 2015, Aschman helped CU hold its opponents to 7.00 goals per game.
"I think for me a driving force in wanting to work hard (this summer) is that I know all the other seniors and other people on the team, wherever they are, at home or in Boulder, they are all out there working hard as well.
It's also not hard to be motivated with some of the great defenders that have paved the way for Aschman at CU.
"I saw people like Molly (Rovzer), Kelsey (Garrison) and Sarah (Brown) working hard and always trying hard to get better; working hard in the off season," Aschman said. "They definitely demonstrated to me what it takes to always keep improving and being a good leader."
Every season since its inception, the Buffs have shown improvement, and Aschman doesn't want this year to be any different.
"I would like us to obviously keep improving and I would like myself to keep improving also as I think this year will be different," she said. "We lost a lot of really key players, so I would like to see my senior class lead and step into this new role that we've never really had before."
Aschman is on track to graduate this May in integrative physiology. An excellent student, she carries a GPA greater than 3.70. But this likely won't be the end of her education.
"I think eventually I would like to go to a graduate school, whether it be medical school or pursuing a Ph.D. or some other degree," she said. "I definitely enjoy learning, I just have to figure out what exactly to do with that."
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