Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Central College Athletics

The Official Website of the Central College Dutch

Athlete Awards

Central Close-Up

Lauren Vahlkamp

  • Award
    Central Close-Up
  • Week Of
    8/16/2018
  • Sport
    Women's Soccer
  • Bio
    View Full Bio
Senior
Quincy, Illinois


Why did you chose Central?
               
I chose Central because I get to play the sport I love while getting a well-rounded education. I fell in love with Central and the women’s soccer team after an overnight visit and I do not regret my decision to this day!

Favorite professor and why?
               
My favorite professors are Dr. Shuger Fox and Dr. Mena. I got to spend lots of quality time with Dr. Shuger Fox in Costa Rica. She’s always having me try her crazy, vegan foods which are not too bad! I also spent a whole summer getting to know Dr. Mena while doing Biology research alongside her. She’ll never let me live down the time we were in a field collecting bees when a turkey ran out of a bush right behind me and scared the crap out of me!

Who are your go-to musical artists?
               
I really don’t have set genre/artists, I listen to anything and everything from rap to country to alternatives! I love going to concerts/festivals and I have seen sooo many amazing artists; I currently just got back from a 3-day festival in Louisville, KY and it was the most amazing line-ups! Though, the one artist that I would pay big bucks to see in concert would be Florence and the Machine!

You’re majoring in biochemistry because?

I am majoring in biochemistry because I get to learn both of my favorite subjects at once and how they intertwine. I also love learning about the human body through the Biological and Chemical standpoint.

What is your favorite throwback song?
               
My throwback song I listen to before every soccer game since I was in 8th grade has been “In My Head” by Jason Derulo…. I am not sure why, but it has stuck with me over the years.
 
Favorite Childhood memory
               
My favorite childhood memory is every summer since I was born my extended family has gone camping together for a week. The whole Vahlkamp family takes up basically half of a campground! I am really close with my cousins and loved going tubing, playing cards and sand volleyball when camping with them!
 
What’s the worst job you have ever had?
               
I’ve never hated any jobs I have ever had, but one time back in high school I nannied for a family and the 3 kids locked me in the basement for about 3 hours. It wasn’t until the mom got home from work that I was let out.

Which 1900’s era would you travel back to and why?

I would travel to the 80’s because all of my favorite movies are from that era.

What animal best represents you and why?
               
I didn’t know how to answer this question, so I asked my brother and sister. My sister’s response was “probably some animal from the ocean because you can be salty…” SOO that’s the story of my life at home…. But my brother (my favorite sibling) said I would be a lion because he sees me as a leader/role model to him.

If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children and grandchildren?

My favorite advice from my grandpa that I will tell my children/grandchildren is “Managers work less and make more, and workers work more and make less. What do you want to be in life?” but a close second would have to be “Vahlkamps have short legs, so always finish your arguments when sitting on the bar stool because you get shorter when you stand up.”
 
Favorite TV Show

Grey’s Anatomy hands-down I have seen every season 4 times, but Friends would have to be my second fav

What is it like to play for Coach Kobylinski?
               
Playing for Koby is always a good time, you never know what quirky quote he is about to come out of his mouth! Also, decoding his texts/emails are my all time favorite thing about Coach; he just discovered what GIFs are and LOVES to use them!!

What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central soccer?
               
My favorite parts about being a member of the Central soccer are automatically having built-in best friends for the rest of my life and of course the Walmart lunch specials during road trips!

Favorite food from Central Market
               
The desserts and Chicken Wrap Fridays are my fav

Bucket list
               
The 50 states by age 50
Visit Fiji
Go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup (even if USA isn’t in it like this year)
Backpack around Europe
Stay at the Giraffe Manor Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya



Athlete Awards
Date Athlete Sport
12/4/2025 Elison Ritzert Dance team
11/14/2025 Maximus Reitano Football
10/30/2025 Landry Pacha Volleyball
10/16/2025 Ava Goben Women's Cross Country
10/2/2025 Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney Women's Tennis
9/18/2025 Allie Pfantz Women's Golf
9/4/2025 Emily Patten Cheerleading
8/21/2025 Estella Allen Women's Triathlon
8/7/2025 Kelley Duffy Women's Soccer
7/24/2025 Mason Back Men's Cross Country
7/10/2025 Jack Hillis Men's Soccer
6/26/2025 Tommy Morlan Men's Track and Field
6/12/2025 Mark Kenney Baseball
6/5/2025 Mickey Martens Women's Golf
5/29/2025 Abbie Stelk Cheerleading
5/22/2025 Ernest Alvarez Chedzoy Men's Tennis
5/15/2025 Abigail White Women's Track and Field
5/8/2025 Emma Lenox Softball
5/1/2025 Caleb Douglass Baseball
4/24/2025 Ethan Gordon Men's Golf
Previous12345...Next