Senior Spotlight: #16 Jessica Kjellstrom
10/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Kacy Kobakof, MSU Athletic Communication Student Assistant
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Staring at the soccer field in DeMartin Stadium while on her official visit in the pouring rain, senior defender Jessica Kjellstrom knew on that day, that she was going to become a Spartan.
"Michigan State was my first choice. When I came here, I fell in love with it," Kjellstrom said with a smile. "I fell in love with how the whole campus was set up, and the field was just gorgeous. I came on a rainy day, but that didn't really matter to me because it was still awesome. I narrowed my choices down, and I was thinking, do I want to be far? Do I want to be close? I chose to be close, and I've loved my experience."
Prior to her visit, the Saginaw native won three state championships with her club team, the Michigan Hawks. It didn't always come easy in the beginning, and she had to put in hours outside of practice to become the player that she is today.
"What's funny, is that I was the worst player on the Hawks," Kjellstrom laughed. "My coach would make me stay after and do a bunch of extra work because I was so bad. Then, I started to get better and better because of them."
It was those improvements that set the stage for Kjellstrom at Michigan State.
During her freshman season, she was a force to be reckoned with. Kjellstrom started in 18 of the 19 games that season. It was her skills on the field that were so impactful to the team, but it was her friends off the field that were so important to her.
"My class, we're really close. Our freshman year, we all hungout all the time. We all had bikes, and I know everyone has mopeds now, but no, no, no, no, we had bikes, and we were a biker gang. We rode around and did everything together. They're my best friends."
Finishing her freshman season strong, Kjellstrom had an even stronger sophomore season. She one-upped her previous season by starting in all 19 games.
Over the course of her journey, Kjellstrom has carried with her, the advice to never give up. From her tremendous efforts as a Hawk, to her endurance on the field as a Spartan, she has been a player with an incredible work ethic.
"Going back to never giving up, and giving it your all, 100 percent no matter what, is what I always carry with me. Coach Tom (Saxton) always says, ‘one 50/50 tackle can change the entire game,'" Kjellstrom said. "You have to go hard into everything. That aspect of the game, the fact that one thing can change the whole game, is why I always play my hardest."
Having such an important role on the field in the defensive line it helped Kjellstrom grow as an individual, both on and off the field.
"Playing soccer has made me into a really confident person, on the field, and in life in general. I love going out there and being relaxed," said Kjellstrom. "It's something that has made me strong and taught me to never give up. I strive to achieve all the goals that I set."
In her junior season, Kjellstrom again proved to be a solid link on the team by starting 17 of the 18 games played. As an upperclassman, her role as a leader became evident.
"I just like to make sure that we're all being positive, and not letting bad things affect us. Striving for our goals. As long as we're all on the same page, we'll reach that goal," said Kjellstrom. "I love my teammates. I think that everyone has grown as leaders, even the younger girls have stepped up. That's something that will be left with this team."
At the conclusion of her senior year, Kjellstrom has had a great run of wearing the Green and White. She has instilled in the younger girls on the team to never give up, and to strive for the goals that are set, because she has proven they can be accomplished.
"I love that we're a Spartan family," she smiled. "So in the future, keeping that Spartan family mentality and always being there for one another, is something I will take with me. Making sure that everyone feels welcome, no matter what."
After returning from a preseason injury Kjellstrom started and played in 15 games, anchoring the Spartans back line. Representing Michigan State has been an extremely rewarding experience for Kjellstrom, and she wouldn't trade it for anything.
"I love being branded a Spartan and being part of the Spartan family. Everywhere you go, there's people who will say ‘go green!' and you say ‘go white!' That's what Spartans do. And I am beyond proud to be a part of that family."
