Q&A with Kellen Kalso
9/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 30, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - This year is shaping up to be a promising year for men's soccer. After only dropping one game in out-of-conference play, the Spartans are looking to continue their winning ways in conference action. Senior Kellen Kalso is just one of the Spartan defenders that are responsible for the team's quick start. Kalso has started every game for the Spartans since transferring from Indiana after he was redshirted his freshman year. Kalso was a Parade All-American as a senior in high school and a member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team. Now, Kalso's focus is on leading the Spartans back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001.
Q: Why did you transfer here from Indiana University?
A: It was a situation where I saw myself closer to home here. It was a better situation for playing soccer, as far as playing time. I got hurt in the preseason at Indiana and it was just a better fit for me here, coming back home.
Q: What are your responsibilities on the field as sweeper?
A: All the play is in front of me so I'm kind of a field general back there as far as letting guys know when to mark up and letting guys know when other guys are coming through. I'm kind of a middle man between the keeper and everybody else.
Q: What are some of the goals for the team and you personally this year?
A: As a senior, one goal is to beat Indiana. We pulled out a tie last year and we were really close to getting a win, we ended up tying them in the last eight minutes. As far as team goals, our big goal at the beginning of the year was to make it to the NCAA Tournament. That is one of our goals every year. The senior class is pretty dedicated to winning a Big Ten championship before we leave. I'd say that our number one goal right now is to be competitive and win that Big Ten championship and then the NCAA Tournament will be there.
Q: How do you think the team's play in the non-conference schedule will help leading into conference play?
A: We've played some tough teams, especially going out to California. Even though we split our games out there, it was a good learning experience for the team. From that loss to San Diego State, we came away with a lot of game knowledge for the younger guys. They saw how things are and they realize that they need to come to play every single game. It should transition us well to the Big Ten. A lot of those teams are pretty similar. It's going to be tough because Big Ten games are always 2-1 or 3-2 and just really close.
Q: You have started every game in your career here at Michigan State. How hard was that when you were a freshman and sophomore, and how has that experience helped your play?
A: It was nice. I was able to make the transition because I was playing for the National team before that. So when I came here it was an expectation of mine to play. I really didn't know what to expect. But looking back on the experience I gained as a freshman and a sophomore from playing every game and playing in the Big Ten and making the NCAA tournament is huge for right now. Now, I get to lead some of the younger guys and take them under my wing a little bit and show them the way, as far as what to do and what not to do.
Q: What was it like playing on the National team?
A: I played for the U-17 National Team. I lived in Florida in a residency program for about two years. It was a good experience. I traveled like crazy to about 17 different countries. It provided me with the experience I needed to make the transition to play right away in college. So it wasn't that bad, except for the fact that you're on your own and living away from your parents. That is what is tough for some of these freshmen is the transition to the college game, but they're starting to get the hang of it.
Q: Who are going to be the toughest teams in conference this year?
A: Obviously, year in and year out Indiana is right there at the top. A lot of teams are improved this year. Michigan proved to be a stud team last year and they're going to be good. They have only lost a couple of guys and have a pretty good record this year. Penn State is always tough and we play them at their place. Ohio State is improved, along with Northwestern. Northwestern is no long a game you just figure that you will win. It will be a tough game.
Q: What does the team have to do to be successful in conference and the go on to the NCAA Tournament?
A: I think the biggest thing is consistency. We all know we need to train hard and keep our work ethic up everyday, day in and day out. If we come to play, we have a team that can hang with anybody in the Big Ten. It's just a matter of being consistent and keeping strong.
Q: Is there any special reason why you wear number four?
A: I've always had it through childhood. I'm superstitious. To be quite honest I'm afraid to change numbers, I'm afraid it will curse me. I have worn number five before. That's the only other number I'll wear. It's kind of a family thing too. My cousin and my younger brother both wear number four, which is cool. I guess four is just a number that has been through our family.
Q: Since you transferred from Indiana, how important is it to you personally to play well and beat them?
A: It's absolutely huge. There are a lot of expectations on my shoulders, as far as being a senior and a leader this year. I still have a lot of friends that play for Indiana, so it is kind of bittersweet. We haven't beaten them yet and I'd really like for them to see what it feels like to loose.
Q: Were you considering transferring anywhere else besides Michigan State?
A: There were a couple other schools I was looking at that recruited me initially out of high school. I was pretty close to going to North Carolina. The distance was the main barrier there though. I didn't feel like going that far away from home. Indiana was a good fit because it was still in the Midwest and they are a pretty good soccer school. As far as any other places to transfer to, I pretty much narrowed it down to Michigan State.
Q: What do you do when you have some free time?
A: Well, when I have free time I love to golf. Weather permitting; I love to get out as much as possible. I just like to relax. Anytime I get some free time I just like to kick the feet up and relax, put in a movie and chill out awhile. I love video games. I'm all about Madden 2005 and college football too. I really haven't got the hang of the new Madden yet; it's a little bit different from last year. It's more challenging.
Q: So what do you have planned for after graduation?
A: I graduate in December. Hopefully, a job of choice will be waiting for me in California, or somewhere out west in commercial real estate. My major is communications, but I'm definitely going into sales, whatever the avenue may be. I think I'll either work in commercial real estate or pharmaceutical sales. Pharmaceuticals have been all throughout my family. I would really like to do commercial real estate, but we'll see.
Q: So far what is the most memorable part of your career here at Michigan State?
A: I think just growing up with Jordan [Gruber] and John [Minagawa-Webster]. I've been with those guys since my freshman year. Just to see the three of us come together as the senior group after starting games together, to see us end our careers on a good note would probably be the best memory. I'd have to say my best soccer memory here has been making the NCAA Tournament and winning our first-round game and how we made a pretty good run.
Q: What do you think the strongest part of the team is this year?
A: We really don't have too many weaknesses. Up and down the field, we are strong. Our forwards are on fire right now. If they can just keep up their consistency and keep putting goals in, that will keep giving a big boost to the defense. Our defense is proving to be pretty solid this year. Greg Doster is a good defender and Jason Tillman is still young, and this is his first real competitive year as far as playing time goes, but he is great back there in goal and I have a lot of confidence in him. I have a lot of confidence in everyone on the field. Our midfielders are playing great too. I give full credit for our record so far to our work ethic and team defense.
Q: How has your coach helped you improve over your four years here?
A: Our coaches do the things on the field, but they also do a lot of the behind the scenes stuff, like coming out here everyday, sometimes two hours early to work with you. They let you spray balls to them and put in a lot of extra work and dedication to make us a better team. They're in the weight room in the off-season and help with our pre-season conditioning. There is an open-door policy to the point that Joe Baum is almost like a second dad to us. We can go to him for anything, and to have that openness and trust in a coach is a good feeling.
Q: At what age did you start playing soccer, and why?
A: I started playing at age three. I signed up for an under five local house team that my dad coached. He put me in the league and I ended up being decent, I guess. I played local house league soccer until I was about eight, and then I decided to move to one of the bigger club teams at the time. Then at age 10, I played with Vardar until I was 18.
Q: What makes this year's team better compared to last year?
A: Last year we had a good team. We were really solid at most positions, but I really think our team defense has gotten that much better this year. Last year, we had some let downs at crucial times where we just ball watched and lost track of some things during the season. We went into a couple of lulls. I think this year we're more of a steady team where we're not going to hit that drought. I think if we can keep scoring one to two goals a game we will be fine.
