Mililani High Graduate Leads HPU Against PacWest Foes
Nicole Craig has been a catalyst since her freshman year. Photo courtesy HPU Sports Information.
At Hawaii Pacific University women’s soccer practices, there’s little doubt who sets the pace every day. That role belongs to former Mililani High stand-out Nicole Craig, the Sea Warriors’ senior defender.
“She’s a competitor who always works her hardest,” HPU head coach Gina Brewer said. “She’s a coach’s player in that she goes above and beyond as an individual and for her teammates. She’s definitely one of our best players and one of our leaders.”
Craig has been a mainstay for the team since her freshman year when she cracked into the starting lineup. When HPU meets the University of Hawaii Wahine at 7 tonight (Sept. 25) at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park, Craig will be making her 49th straight start, dating back to the 2010 season. She recently took some time away from the practice field and the classroom to visit with MidWeek‘s Central Oahu Islander.
What is your earliest sports memory? My friend’s mom was our coach when I was 3, and we were called the Green Machine. The coaches wore green lipstick and used green hair spray. It was a fun experience overall. It was more about just going out and having fun then.
Who has had the biggest impact on your life? The Lord. Everything I’ve done is because of my religion and my using all that I have to please the Lord.
What was the biggest adjustment in moving from prep soccer to the college level? The speed of play and the overall level of competition was much higher. You have to be able to push yourself in the off-season as well when the coaches aren’t around.
What is your favorite road destination in the PacWest Conference? When we go to California – just because I have a lot of family over there, and I get to play in front of them.
What website do you go to the most? I like reading all of the Yahoo Sports articles.
What movie could you watch over and over? Pitch Perfect is pretty funny. I like to watch that and laugh.
Who is your favorite musical artist? J Boog.
How do you like to spend your free time? I really like all types of sports, so I like watching whatever sport is on TV. The NBA is probably my favorite – or the NFL or soccer.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I’ll probably get into athletics as a sales representative, and I’ll be raising a family.
If you were planning a trip, what would be your “dream” destination? I would really like to go to Brazil. My grandmother is from there. I’d like to take her back there to visit her family.
You are stuck on Kahoolawe and can have only one food. What would it be? I really like saimin.
Given the chance, what celebrity would you most like to meet? (Professional basketball player) Kevin Durant.
