Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Lana Bomstad

Grades can be the end-all-be-all for most of society. A high GPA is attributed to high intelligence, and in most cases, this is true. However, if you ask coaches and teachers what they believe will lead to long-term success for their student-athletes, they look for students who seek knowledge intrinsically. Those student-athletes are highly empathetic and problem-solvers. Senior Lana Bomstad is that type of player and person for the Wolves soccer team, which is why she is this week’s Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week.

Lana started playing recreational soccer at age 4, and by the time she hit 2nd grade, she began playing competitively for a club team. “Lana has grown up on the field, and those experiences and relationships have helped shape her into the young woman she is today,” says Layla Bomstad, Lana’s mom.

The defensively-minded center-midfielder played her first season at OE on the JV team before moving to varsity her sophomore year. Although not a regular starter as a sophomore, Lana understood how to gain experience from watching those around her. “Lana played with some very talented seniors her sophomore year and was able to absorb a lot of information,” says head coach Juan Leal. He continues by saying, “Lana has shown how watching soccer, even as a bench player, is beneficial for development. She never complained about playing time but saw it as an opportunity to learn.”

As a senior, Lana serves in a disruptive role on the defensive side for the Wolves and understands how best to serve the team. “Lana is knowledgeable and positions herself to be disruptive to opposing offenses,” says Juan. He adds, “She is a great passer and uses her body to shield and protect the ball.”

Although the Wolves have taken some close and tough losses this season, they are using them as learning lessons heading into the state tournament. ‘We have had some good wins and tough losses, but I feel like it has prepared us for our playoff run,” says Lana. She says, “We have made small mistakes that have led to losses, but we have been watching a lot of film, and if we can improve in those areas, we will be really tough heading into our regional matchup with crosstown rival Oswego.”

Lana’s consistent push to seek to improve herself and those around her extends well beyond the soccer field. Her AP Psychology teacher, Tony Giles, notes those characteristics in the classroom as well, saying, “Lana is in the top 1% of students, not just because of her grades, work ethic, and academic integrity, but she is always looking to master the material she is studying. She does not question just to question but to seek understanding.”

The University of Missouri is where Lana will call home beginning in the fall, and she plans to not only study psychology but eventually earn her doctorate and conduct research in the field. “I feel like there’s not always a lot of answers in psychology, and I want to contribute by working behind the scenes and studying the brain in hopes of gaining a better understanding of how the brain works,” says Lana.

“Lana is fascinated with the human mind and behavior relationships, criminology, and mental health,” says Layla. She adds, “Lana is perceptive and keenly aware of people and their behaviors.”

Tony believes she has all the characteristics to thrive in the field, saying, “As a natural leader Lana is excellent at taking in information, processing it, and conveying it to others. She forms natural connections to people and is empathetic. She also pushes the edges of the envelope to ensure her understanding. The quality of her work is motivated from within, thus resulting in a higher quality end product than someone else who is simply motivated by their final grade.”

Although she will not continue pursuing soccer after high school, she is determined to help the Wolves make a deep playoff run alongside her fellow graduates. With only two weeks left of high school, she offers her advice to future Wolves, saying, “Try and get involved in as many clubs, sports, and activities as you can. It helps you make so many friends, expand your social circle, and will help you in all aspects of your life.” Lana’s involvement as a member of the Wolves and as a student at OE has helped make the school one of the tops in the area, and her leadership will help usher in a new generation to etch out their legacy.