Wearing #18, Elly Wiebusch ’14 in action.

Student-Athlete Doubles Up on National Appearances

A courtroom setting served as the playing field, business attire replaced cleats and shin guards, headers and corner kicks gave way to a character portrayal … The differences were many, but Elly Wiebusch ’14 welcomed a second opportunity to compete in a national tournament.

In the fall, Wiebusch played in the women’s NCAA Division III soccer tournament as a member of a 14-5-2 squad that won the Midwest Conference tournament. In the spring, the senior from Appleton advanced to national competition with the St. Norbert College Mock Trial “A” team.

“I’ve just had a really unique experience on two awesome teams with two great sets of teammates,” she says. “It’s been a great way to wrap things up at St. Norbert, being on two teams that have been really successful and that’s incredible. It’s not about me. It’s about the two teams doing well and I just happen to be on both of them.”

Wiebusch scored two goals and recorded six assists as a midfielder for the soccer team this past season. The conference championship was a first ever for the Green Knights. The team played on the road in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Washington University in St. Louis. St. Norbert jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but fell to the top-ranked Bears 5-2.

“Even though we lost, it was such a cool accomplishment to get there,” says Wiebusch. “Our goal for the season was to get to the NCAA tournament.”

“(Wiebusch) is a great example of someone who came in as a freshman and didn’t see a lot of time on the field,” says Dennis Detrie, women’s soccer coach. “She eventually became a starter and a captain on the team.”

While Wiebusch began playing soccer at age six, mock trial was a new experience. Last year, she was unable to participate due to studying abroad in Australia. 

Students must complete the trial advocacy course to compete on the mock trial team at St. Norbert. Wiebusch played the role of witness, which requires the ability to remember details and utilize acting skills to portray an assigned character. St. Norbert qualified for the Mock Trial National Tournament in Waukegan, Ill., March 14-16, based on its performance at the 2014 Upper Midwest Durst Memorial Regional Tournament, Feb. 22-23, at UW-Superior.

Wiebusch credits the coaching staff for their guidance.

“The devotion of Dr. (Charley) Jacobs, Judge (Marc) Hammer and the other coaches that are not faculty members at St. Norbert, how much time and effort they put into it, is really impressive,” she says. “Without their time commitment, I don’t think our team would be as successful.” 


April 1, 2014