A 5 ½ month journey of mine came to and end yesterday. I took the Medical College Admissions Test Friday and it was possibly the hardest test I have taken in my life. I have been studying for the test since January and I think I could have studied for another year and would not have been fully prepared. 

Since school as let out my time as being 100% committed to studying for this test. My days consisted of getting up early and going to the public library for 6-8 hours. I would come home work out and spend another 2 hours doing practice tests. Now I will wait in anticipation for my results (which take 30 days) and my attention has shifted to my internship and work schedule.

I start my internship Monday with two back to back meetings and orientation. My internship will be with the outpatient development team at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. From 8-5 during the week I will wear a suit, attend meetings, and try and learn more about healthcare. I will supplement this work with my passion of working in the ER. I have been working at the Carmel St. Vincent ER for over a year now and love every minute of it. In fact I am currently writing this blog from the nurse station in the ER.

Since I took the MCAT in Lafayette and had to work in Crawfordsville that night I had the opportunity to stop by and speak with Coach G. I only spend a short time with coach but was able to learn more about the incoming freshman class. I will be honest the more I learn about the freshmen class the more excited I get about the upcoming season. As one of only two (unless Funston counts) senor field players returning it will be my last chance to have a winning season at Wabash and last chance to finally beat DePauw. 

I have often though about what this upcoming season will be like. With the leaps and bounds that our team made last year, coming close to beating some of the top teams in our conference, I am excited to see what happens with the addition of a strong incoming freshman class. I am a very goal oriented person and my goal for last year was not only to have a good season but also to beat Ohio Wesleyan, who has been on the top of our conference for many years. Since my expectations for the ’08-’09 season have been risen with the knowledge of both last year and a promising freshman class my new goal is to not only make the conference tournament but to win it. Some might say that this is a lofty unobtainable goal but I would STRONGLY disagree. I have seen Wabash College soccer out play some of the top soccer programs in our conference and fall just short of victory. I am confident that with hard work, dedication, and the addition of some quality players that we will do well and have a strong chance at the conference title.

As a senor with hopes of being a leader of the Wabash College Soccer team I must urge that in order to be successful everyone must do their part during the off season. I have always been a firm believer in leading by example, so you can trust that I will do my part to be mentally, physically, and most importantly tactically ready to play soccer in the fall. So I challenge both the returning players and the incoming freshman to not only have a fun summer but a summer with goals, goals to make a commitment to this soccer program. Be committed not only to running every day and being physically ready in the fall but also be committed to get out and play soccer as much as possible to be tactically ready in the fall. If you do so, we will be successful in obtaining our goals.

Mike Kaster, '09