Athlete of the Week: Melissa Trammell

Junior midfielder Melissa Trammell scored one goal and had two assists in two conference wins last weekend. Earlier in the season, she was selected as the Big Sky Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week.

Before the Vikings headed off for this weekend’s away games in Colorado and Arizona, Trammell took the time to tell us a little about herself.

Vanguard:    How did it feel to start the Big Sky campaign with two wins? Melissa Trammell: It felt great. Our team went through a little bit of a rough patch before and I think that our hard work is paying off with the two wins.

V: Why did you choose to come to Portland State?

MT: I came to Portland State because I knew that the soccer program was really good. I love the city and doing research. I love the school and the girls on the team. It’s like everything just fell into place.

 

V: What has been your best moment on the field?

MT: It’s the celebration on the field with the girls every time we win. All our hard work has paid off and it feels really great to win.

 

V: If you could change one of your sport’s rules, what would it be?

MT: Sometimes I wish the referee didn’t have as much say in the game as he does.

 

V: What is your greatest strength?

MT: It comes from my teammates, but I would like to say it’s scoring goals. I couldn’t do it without the 10 other girls in the team.

 

V: What is your favorite place to eat around campus?

MT: I am a vegan, so there aren’t many places where I can eat. But I have recently discovered Food for Thought, which is on campus.

 

V: What is your favorite thing to do around Portland?

MT: I like exploring. Portland is a new city for me, so I just like to ride my bike around.

 

V: What is the first item you would buy if you won the lottery?

MT: I would buy a place on 23rd Avenue in the Nob Hill area.

 

V: What is your most embarrassing on-field moment?

MT: I don’t really get embarrassed. I just laugh at myself when that happens.

 

V: Do you have any hidden talents?

MT: I learned how to juggle the other day, so I would say that’s my hidden talent.

 

V: Do you have any nicknames? Why?

MT: People here call me Melissa and not Mel because that’s our assistant coach’s name. My old teammates used to call me Tram because of my last name.

 

V: What is the last thing you cooked?

MT: The last thing I cooked was “Pimp My

Ramen.” It’s Top Ramen with peanut butter and hot sauce.

 

V: If you could attend one event anywhere, what would it be?

MT: I love music, so I would go to a Damien Rice or Angus and Julius Stone concert. I always wanted to go to a World Cup, but that is years from now.

 

V: What has been your favorite class at Portland State?

MT: I am taking an Intro to Special Education class because I want to become a special education teacher.

 

V: What’s on your iPod right now?

MT: The Submarines. I listened to them this morning.

 

V: If you could have dinner with three people from history alive, dead or fictional—who would they be?

MT: Audrey Hepburn, my grandma and [head coach] Laura Schott!

 

V: Do you read the Vanguard?

MT: Once in a while, when my teammates bring it into the locker room.

 

V: What song are you most likely to sing at karaoke?

MT: Probably any Journey song.

 

V: What is the last thing you read?

MT:  The last thing I read was some psychology homework.

 

V: Do you have a favorite superhero?

MT: I guess Superman, because he is the best-known superhero, so he has to be pretty good.