By Jenna Horning, Contributing Writer
Tristan Barquin is a senior psychology major on the Susquehanna men’s soccer team from Florham Park, NJ. His position for his first two years at Susquehanna was center mid but last season he started to play at center back. Last season Tristan played in 17 games with 13 starts.
Over the past years, what has been your favorite class?
“One of the classes I’m taking right now is my direct research class for my major. It’s like our capstone and we’re running a psychological research experiment. We’re focusing on a survey to measure people’s political knowledge and aptitude, and also where people get their news sources. Another shout for favorite class would be psych 101 when I took it freshman year. I honestly enjoyed reading the textbook, it was so engaging and interesting to me.”
Do you have a favorite professional soccer team?
“Yeah, it’s actually FC Barcelona. That’s one of the reasons I chose that city [for my GO Program]. That’s a team I’ve always supported, followed, and watched. I didn’t get to go to a game; that was like the biggest thing I wanted to do. I literally had tickets lined up for March 22nd and two weeks before that we got sent home.”
What are some of your favorite memories at Susquehanna, both on and off the field?
“My favorite memory on the field would probably be last year’s win against Gettysburg. That was a really big win for us. I think we were struggling a little at that point in the season and they’re always a really good team that we play every single year. They have a very good program, and the past two years we’ve lost 1-0 to them. They came here on a Wednesday night and we were able to stick out a really big 1-0 win. I think that game was really big for morale and stuff which kept us going on a better track. For off the field, best times and memories are pretty much just being with my teammates and also being friends or roommates with them. Like this year I’m living with three other teammates, and the past two years I’ve lived in a house with eight and ten of my other teammates. It’s just so much fun being with a bunch of guys who are your best friends, and then also guys who are kind of oriented to the same goals that you are and focus on the same thing so you can push each other. You know, go lifting together, go running together, do extra-curricular stuff, and that’s definitely one of the most fun aspects of being on the team here.”
What’s special, or what drew you to the men’s soccer program at Susquehanna?
“Initially, just wanting to play soccer in college. I found the school, talked to the coaches, and knew some of the kids who were already coming. There’s actually one of my teammates who I roomed with freshman year, I’ve been playing with him since 6th grade, you know all throughout high school. We were both talking about it a lot and we both wanted to come. I think that we both agreed it was one of the best decisions ever because it’s like every day is a party, every day is so much fun. One thing that stands out most about the program is how close a lot of us are and how friendly and interactive we are with each other.”
Is there a game that you will always remember?
“Probably the first game ever. It was freshman year, a home-opener on Friday night against Ursinus. I didn’t get the privilege to play in that game, but a lot of the other freshman who I was living in the same hall with and kind of starting those friendships, they got to start. It’s just kind of like a couple of them even scored and the electricity of that night, just watching them score was one of the greatest feelings ever. It was just so much fun. Everybody got so hype and so excited. That was probably the most fun game that I have ever watched, not directly be a part of.”
What has being a student athlete at Susquehanna taught you?
“The main thing is just for whatever you want in soccer, especially in academics, and generally in life that whatever you want you have to put the work in. Nothing is ever going to be handed to you or at least nothing worth having is really ever just going to be handed to you. You kind of have to be goal oriented and have a mindset that as long as I’m doing the best that I can and the most that I can, results will happen.”
Who has had the greatest impact on you during your time here?
“It’s hard to narrow down one person, but several people would be my friends or at least my closest teammates and roommates. I’m a little bit more introverted, so those first couple weeks were a little tough. Socially putting yourself out there and then making those bonds, and then having them stick to people that you really care about who also care about you. That’s really important and that’s really made the experience and also just life in general so much better. I always look forward to coming back here and I’ll always have fond memories with them that will last a lifetime.”
Has COVID-19 helped you grow or taught you anything about yourself?
“It definitely has helped me grow because before the pandemic and even coming back from abroad a lot has happened personally, including family, friends, and stuff like that. I learned a lot about myself because it was a lot of time for reflection and self-evaluation in a sense. Although it was boring, I tried to take advantage of that and tried to kind of fix anything in my life that I felt needed fixing. I set goals for myself for this upcoming semester and the next couple years even.”
What gives you motivation or keeps you motivated?
“Wanting to just find improvement in all aspects of life because while life is good, things can always get better in my mind. You can always be a little bit smarter. You can always be a little bit happier. You can always be a little bit better at this. I’m always looking for ways to improve overall. Improve my life and that comes with experience and age, just simply trying to develop myself and improve myself in any way I can to be the best person I can possibly be.”
Do you have any advice for younger students or student athletes?
“For students in general it would be don’t let yourself fall behind early because I kind of let that happen to me. Specifically grades and academics. You’re a student here at Susquehanna and your main responsibility is to study and learn to find what you’re passionate about. Also focusing in class and just paying attention and doing your best. If you’re not trying your best, you’re not going to find out what you like and what you’re good at. For student athletes it would be to stay smart and don’t make bad decisions.”