Athlete of the Week: Rosie Wustrack

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Rosie Wustrack

Volleyball captain Rosie Wustrack, BR '99, wears many jerseys. On the court she wears the jersey of what someone coach Peggy Scofield describes as the best volleyball player to ever play for Yale. Off the court she wears the jersey of a TIES tutor and a community outreach volunteer. And wherever she is, Wustrack wears the jersey of a selfless emotional leader and an untiring worker. While she could wear any one of these jerseys and be considered a success, Wustrack has the kind of attitude about volleyball and life that allows her to take a set of good skills and do something great with them.

Making great things with good skills has characterized Wustrack's career as a Bulldog. When Scofield recruited Wustrack, a middle blocker, she had no idea that she was recruiting someone who would one day hold the Yale career records for hitting percentage and kills (Wustrack earned the latter record against Dartmouth on Sat., Oct. 31), earn the 1995 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Award, and own two Ivy League MVP titles. Even Wustrack admitted that her goal when she started Yale was "just to have a chance to play." But as Scofield said, "Rosie made her own career. It is clearly hard work" that has made her the player she is. Scofield added, "Rosie is definitely an athlete, but she's not the best athlete I've ever seen. She has great mental focus and a positive attitude, which are very important."

Many athletes with decent natural ability and a good work ethic never come close to achieving the level of athletic success that Wustrack has. Perhaps what sets Wustrack apart is her absolute love for the game. Setter Sonushya Mathai, BK '99, connected this love to Wustrack's constantly increasing success when she said, "She teaches the rest of the team that you can never stop improving. She has such a love for the game and the team that she shows it's always worth it to work hard and give 110 percent."

All too predictably, Wustrack contends that her ability to wear not only the jersey of an exceptional volleyball player but also that of an outstanding person and leader comes from her teammates. "I wouldn't say I'm so good, but since I've been here, I've played on really good teams with great players, who have helped me out," she said. "Most of my success has been because of my teammates. I've learned something from everyone on the team and have had a fun time playing with every single person."

It's obvious from such comments that Wustrack is never afraid to put herself on the line. In fact, before the team's win against Harvard on Fri., Oct. 30, Rosie dyed her hair and sweat so much that the dye bled all over her game jersey. Good thing she's got so many other ones.

--Deirdre Brill

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