Dominion's Berg An All Around Student Athlete
Imagine this: You are captain of the cross country team, a defender on the soccer field, and SCA treasurer with a 4.39 GPA. Sound impossible? You'd think so. Well for senior Lindsay Berg, this is reality. For Berg, "being a student athlete is easier than just being a student," she says, "It forces me to manage my time." But Berg has a secret, "A lot of people don't know that I really am a procrastinator," she admits. Well, whatever she's doing, it's working.
Berg has been running cross country for four years. She has led the Titans as a captain since her sophomore year, also receiving the coach's award her junior year. That same year, she received yet another coach's award, but in soccer. Berg has been playing on the varsity level for three years. Last year, she was captain. "I compete in two sports for different reasons," says Berg, "When I’m on the soccer field, I am having fun- that is hard to say in the middle of a race when I’m pushing my body through so much pain. Instead, I run for the sense of accomplishment."
Unfortunately, after her freshman year of cross country, she struggled with numerous injuries. "My main role was to be a leader for the rookie runners," says Berg, "I got the chance to really watch them race and do workouts, so I was able to use my experiences to help teach and motivate them." Her leadership in athletics carries over to her many academic endeavors. Berg is treasurer of the Student Council Association and a member of the National Honor Society as well as the National Spanish Honors Society. She is also involved in Young Life, a non-denominational, youth group.
Berg enjoys running because it takes both mental and physical strength. "Coach Schmidt would always remind us that what we put into a workout is what we will get out of it; this emphasis taught me a lot about self-discipline," she says.
Her most memorable race was the district meet her freshman year as a Potomac Falls Panther. "I had a personal best time and our team was district champions," she says, "It was rewarding to have such an accomplishment after going through so much pain."
"I enjoy playing soccer because I do--simple as that," she says. Berg remembers Dominion's first game. "It was our opening season and everyone expected us to be horrible, but we ended up being competitors," she says. The Titans beat Loudoun County 3-1 and Berg scored her first Varsity-level goal. "Our Coach was doing cartwheels on the field; we were all ecstatic!" says Berg.
Berg is described as a “coachable” player who will always give 110%. “She is a leader by example and by the person she is driven to be,” says Coach Kelly Beauchamp, “I admire Lindsay's will to succeed and her ability to look for the best in all people. She is a compassionate person that drives her to go above and beyond.”
Berg wouldn't be as successful without the undying support from her parents.
"They learned everything about cross country and soccer so that they could come to all of my races and games,” she says, "My dad even started running and helped me train."
The two most influential teachers throughout her high school career have been Mrs. Carolyn Hoover and Mrs. Kristy Cannell. "Mrs. Hoover has had me for three years, and I know I can talk to her about anything," she says, "Mrs. Cannell is our SCA sponsor, she has kept me from quite a few panic attacks caused by stress."
It was Berg who came up with the idea of having video announcements this year at Dominion. It was her detailed planning that convinced Principal Dr. Brewer to allow them to be student-run. Berg was also a vital part of planning this year’s homecoming.
“Lindsay is successful because she has the right mix of intelligence, common sense, compassion, integrity, and determination...as well as a great sense of humor!” says Cannell.
The first thing a friend would say about Berg is that she laughs a lot. "They tease me about always smiling and laughing at my own jokes," she says, "A teacher would say that I participate a lot in class; that is the nice way of saying I talk a lot." AP Biology is her favorite class "because Ms. Wingfield is the best teacher I have ever had," she says, "I don't know if I really like the subject, or if she just makes me like it!"
Berg, a National Merit finalist, was accepted to William and Mary, UVA and Virginia Tech, but will be attending the latter. Berg plans to major in Psychology. Next year, as a Hokie, Berg will continue to strive academically and flourish as a leader.
