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Kelsey Aaknes Bio

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KELSEY AAKNES
Central Midfielder/Defender GÇó 5-11 GÇó Carlsbad, Calif. GÇó La Costa Canyon H.S. GÇó Carlsbad Elite

Club: She played for Carlsbad Elite and led her club to league championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and finished third at nationals all three years. She helped the club to a regional championship in 2013 as well and was coached by Michael Duggan and Courtney Drummond.

High School: Aaknes is currently in the middle of her senior season and is earning her fourth letter this year. She has been a two-year team captain and a four-year starter, leading La Costa Canyon to a Southern California Division 2 championship in 2015 and a runner-up finish in 2014, as well as two San Diego Open Division championships. She currently has six goals and five assists through 14 games, leading the team to an 8-2-4 mark. For her four-year career, Aaknes has 15 goals and 14 assists and has led her team to a combined 64-18-13 record and has been named second team all-Avocado West twice. She has been coached by Natalie Elkind.

Personal: She was born Kelsey Anne Aaknes on March 23, 1998, in Highland Park, Ill. She is the daughter of Michael and Suzanne Aaknes and has an older sister Kate, who attends CU Boulder, and a younger brother Jake. Aaknes plans on majoring in psychology and is also interested in education. She would like to become an elementary school teacher after graduation. She also helps out in the community regularly, volunteering with the Special Olympics, helping prepare meals for a homeless shelter and is currently a YMCA leader-in-training.

Why Aaknes Chose CU: "Since I grew up on the west coast, it has been my dream to play soccer in college and hopefully at a Pac-12 school. Some of the best competition in the country happens in the Pac-12. When I came to visit the school for an ID camp, I could immediately envision myself attending CU. The campus is beautiful and the vibe is unlike anything IGÇÖve experienced, which made it hard not to love. I was very impressed with the academic programs, the athletic program and academic support dedicated to student success. I got along with the coaches and team right off the bat and it felt like home.

Also, my sister is currently a sophomore at CU. It will be really nice to have her around campus and close by. I am very excited to get the opportunity to play soccer and grow academically at CU! Colorado is the perfect school for me!"