The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2021 THE WOLVERINE 15 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Getting To Know Women's Soccer Senior Defender Sydney Shepherd Michigan women's soccer senior de- fender Sydney Shepherd has seen her role grow each season in Ann Arbor. During her freshman season in 2018, the Danville, Calif., native was a reserve that appeared in only eight games and attempted just one shot. Her break- out campaign came in 2019, when she started 21 of her 23 appearances, re- corded one goal and two assists, and was named to the Big Ten All-Tourna- ment Team. During this past spring's shortened sea- son, Shepherd played in all 11 contests with eight starts, scoring two goals and helping the defense post four shutouts. Here are some other interesting facts you may not have known about her: Best Part About Being From The Bay Area: "I really enjoy the weather, and there's always something going on. Also, I have some family down there in the Bay Area, so it's nice to see them." Nickname: "It's pretty much just 'Syd.' I don't think I've heard anyone call me 'Sydney' in four years. I don't have any fun or cool nicknames." Favorite Restaurant In Ann Arbor: "Anything sushi. Mama Satto is really good. Miki downtown is also really good. Sushi in Ann Arbor is phenomenal. Anything sushi is always a good restaurant for me, my go-to." Best Meal She Can Cook By Herself: "Maybe cereal. That's probably the best I can do." Hobbies: "I'm a big fan of [the television show] RuPaul's Drag Race. We get really into it. We watch all the different episodes, all the seasons — all-star, regular. I also like walking. I like to take an hour and listen to music, talk to my mom on the phone or talk to friends on the phone." Dream Vacation: "Bali [Indonesia]. That sounds like a lot of fun. It looks beautiful." Favorite Professional Athletes: "Lionel Messi. He seems like a cool person to be around, but he's also the greatest of all time. Also, Serena Williams is someone I really look up to. I admire her. And LeB- ron James. I am a Golden State Warriors fan, but I really like LeBron, even though I want his team to lose." Sports She Plays Besides Soccer: "I used to play basketball a little bit in mid- dle school and high school." Why She Chose Michigan: "My dad is an alumnus, and I have some other family — my aunt and my cousin — that are also alumni, so I was kind of brainwashed from a young age. I've always had this idea of Michigan in my head, and never really pictured myself going to school anywhere else." What She Hopes To Do After College: "I'm applying to a PhD program, so I cross my fingers I'll be in and will be a doctor in five to 10 years, which would be pretty cool. Dr. Shepherd, I'd like that." Favorite Memory At Michigan: "The trip to and from Marquette [in 2019]. We were just having a great time on the bus rides. It was a seven-hour bus ride, but it felt like 30 minutes." Overall Experience At Michigan: "I would sum it up as 'fun.' I have laughed so much in my time at school and with my friends that I've met here. I've been really, really happy with my decision to go here." — Clayton Sayfie A public health major, Shepherd is a two- time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2019 and 2020). PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Hajjar — who notched a 4-2 record, 3.09 ERA and Big Ten-best 110 strikeouts in 2021 — was taken No. 61 overall by the Minnesota Twins. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS MICHIGAN'S STEVEN HAJJAR SELECTED IN SECOND ROUND OF 2021 MLB DRAFT Michigan baseball left-handed pitcher Steven Hajjar was se- lected by the Minnesota Twins in the second round (61st overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft. The Andover, Mass., native led the Big Ten last season with 110 strikeouts, which ranked sixth on the program's single-season list. The first-team All-Big Ten selection started 14 games in 2021, and posted a 4-2 record and 3.09 ERA while allowing just 66 hits in 81 2 ⁄3 innings and limiting opponents to a .214 batting average. Hajjar was joined by shortstop Benjamin Sems (15th round; 440th overall; Colorado Rockies) and right-handed pitcher Blake Beers (19th round; 578th overall; Oakland Athletics) as Wolver- ines to be chosen by major league organizations in the event. Michigan has now had at least one player selected in the MLB Draft in each of the last nine years under head coach Erik Bakich. — Clayton Sayfie