The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Getting To Know Sophomore Soccer Defender/Midfielder Lars Eckenrode After starting 14 matches during his fresh- man season, Lars Eckenrode was named to the 2013 Big Ten All-Rookie Team. He is ex- pected to be a major contributor during his sophomore campaign. Nickname: "I've got two. At home my friends call me Larsso. On the team everyone calls me Ecken. I'm not really a big fan of ei- ther one, but whatever makes them happy." Favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor: "Defi- nitely, Mani." Best meal he can cook by himself: "It's eggs, sunny-side up, with a side of avocado and an English muffin." Sports he plays besides soccer: "It was never competitively, but over the sum- mer I would always play tennis with my friends and brothers. I play basketball because it's fun and it's a good workout. Football when I was younger, just with friends after school and stuff." Hobbies: "I like listening to music, hanging out with friends. I really enjoy work- ing out, that's a huge hobby of mine. The occasional book." Favorite TV show: "It's got to be 'The Office,' the U.S. version." Favorite movie: "'Seven Pounds.'" Dream vacation: "I would go to the Maldives with my girlfriend." Favorite professional soccer venue he's been to: "Amsterdam Arena where Ajax plays in the Netherlands." Favorite professional athlete: "Toby Alderweireld. He plays for the Belgian national team and he currently plays in England for a team called Southampton; he's on loan from a team in Madrid, Spain." Role model: "My brother Jannik. I have two brothers, but Jannik is the biggest role model because we're so close in age. He's always got something to say that'll either calm me down or motivate me. Whenever I need anything I always look to him. He's my best friend." Why he chose soccer over football: "Actually at a young age I was a pretty good football player, but my mom never let me play competitively. Also just the Last season, Eckenrode was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS