Stepping Towards The Future – Sophomore looks forward to nationals, bright horizon

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich serves as a simple, calming treat for Lauren Carr at any time.

As she and Morningside University's returning women's golf student-athletes look ahead to 2022-23 and beyond, they hope to have that same effect on new faces for head coach Nick Wanderscheid's program.

"I feel like what I went through in high school at Pius (in Lincoln, Neb.) will help me moving forward," she said. "I was voted team captain a couple of times. It wasn't a lot, but I worked to be the kind of person my teammates could count on."

"(Fellow sophomore) Sofia (Castelan of Queretaro, Mexico) and I have a chance to influence the incoming freshmen and other returners through different avenues. I'm looking forward to it."

Before Carr and her classmate get that chance, they join one of the most successful classes in Mustangs history at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Championships on May 24-27 in Oklahoma City. She and the individuals making the southern trip are relishing the opportunity.

"(Seniors) Laia (Badosa of Girona, Spain) and Maria (Zorrilla of Torreon, Mexico) will be awesome to compete with," Carr admitted. "It's my first time at nationals, and needless to say, my nerves will probably be high."

"It's nice to have two people we all look up to leading the way," she added. "They've both been through this before. It'll be a steadying thought on the course to get insights on different locations and so on."

How Carr relies on the knowledge of her upperclasswoman teammates is similar to how she works with her personal coach – her dad, Marty.

When the discussion of playing sports came into her life, Lauren had gotten comfortable with her role in softball. Her dad kept checking into golf, though.

"I enjoyed softball early on," she reflected. "However, Dad kept saying, 'I think it'll be less hard on your body. It's also the game for a lifetime' about golf. He checked out several YouTube videos and started working with me."

"He's everywhere we play," she added. "He talks about my swing as 'our swing' and is very serious about how I approach and perform in golf. I'm so glad he's made the time to be at my side so often."

Marty's path with his daughter's career has produced outstanding results. Even though she never picked up a club until three days before tryouts her freshman year, Carr advanced to state twice, featuring a 10^th-place finish as a senior.

That kind of play got the attention of former head coach Todd Sapp who recruited her to Sioux City.

"It was an easy choice," Carr reflected. "This program is so driven to succeed, which I was looking for. I love the energy here and the vibe for winning on the course."

"While the golf situation was first and foremost on my mind, the psychology department has been wonderful for me towards my academic career," she added.

Superlatives to share with future teammates for Lauren and the rest of the returning roster – maybe talked about over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.