By Tom Rohrer
Becoming a collegiate athlete is a rarity, as it takes natural ability, a dedicated work ethic and a knack to come up big in pressure situations.
It does not seem to be a rarity for the Waldner family of Olympia, as Erika and Jeff Waldner, son of Brenda and Jeff Sr., have both gone on to become student athletes following decorative high school careers in their respective sports at Thurston County area high schools.
Jeff is a redshirt sophomore defensive end for the Washington State University football team, while Erika is currently redshirting during her first year on the Central Washington University volleyball team.
An all-league, all-area and all-2A state tournament team member for the Tumwater High School volleyball team in 2011, Erika played for head coach Tana Croft and helped lead the T-Birds to a second place finish at the state tournament following three years at Olympia High School. Erika also lettered in basketball and track.
Jeff also earned league, area and all-state honors as a standout under Bill Beattie for the Olympia High School football team, along with earning all-league honors in the discus for the Bears his junior and senior year.
The siblings feed off each other’s success, and remain very close and in constant contact as they embark and continue their athletic and academic endeavors respectively.
“Having an older brother in college as an athlete is great. He’s one of my idols, and seeing him go through all the hard-work for two years was inspirational,” Erika Waldner said in a phone interview with ThurstonTalk.com. “It’s helped me become the person I am.”
“I thought it was really cool, she was visiting Pullman (where the WSU campus is located) when she got done with her camp at Central. They offered her a scholarship, and I was very excited and surprised how early the process was,” Jeff said. “I didn’t know where I was going to go till the end of my senior year. I was very impressed she had it figured it out, and obviously was very proud because she deserved it.”
Having a sibling going through similar academic and athletic rigors is comforting for the Waldners.
“I’m older but I still bounce stuff off of her and talk to her for support,” Jeff said. “It’s just comfortable more than anything else, knowing I can call her.”
“We text or call each other all the time and it’s great for support if we’re having tough times,” Erika said. “He knows what I’m going through as an athlete.”
Part of the Waldner’s support team is their dedicated parents, who attempt (and most of the time succeed) to attend every one of their children’s collegiate games, regardless if Jeff or Erika are red-shirting or not.
“Seeing how hard my parents worked growing up was very motivating and it’s awesome to have their support,” Erika said. “We would always go to my brother’s games at WSU and I know that pushes him to work harder. It was the same kind of thing when I came to school.”
“That’s a thing that’s great,” Jeff said of his parents support. “I love the fall season and getting to see my family at every home game. It’s been really great being able to see the family, and sometimes (Erika) can make it up to the games.”
Driven on their respective playing fields, the Waldner’s are also driven in the classroom, where Jeff plans to continue his accounting studies at the WSU School of Business, and Erika hopes to do the same at CWU. Erika plans on studying public relations or attending law school following graduation.
“You’re a student athlete, and that’s something we’ve always been taught, to be well rounded,” Erika said. “You have this opportunity to play a sport you love and continue your education, so the hard work is all worth it.”
“I take advantage of all the academic resources at WSU,” Jeff said. “You have (as a student athlete) such an overflow of opportunities to be successful, and that busy schedule, with practice and class and studying, that helps you get into a groove and enforces responsibility.”
Athletically, the Waldner’s are excited by the potential of their respective teams.
“I think we have a really young team but one with a lot of talent and it’s already showing,” Erika said of the Wildcats, currently ranked 22nd in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II poll. “It’s awesome to be a part of that type of program.”
“There’s a buzz around the campus and the program with the new coaching staff,” Jeff Waldner said of the Cougar football team, who are in their first year under head coach Mike Leach. “Being a part of that transition is exciting.”
Both the Waldner’s are happy with their choice of college.
“It’s the perfect distance from home and it’s just a great college town,” Erika said of Ellensburg. “I get to see my family but still try something new.”
“Pullman is a great place to go to school and a great place to play football,” Jeff said. “I couldn’t imagine myself going anywhere else.”
However, they are quick to shed a positive light on their hometown.
“Growing up in Olympia, it makes you a little more well-rounded,” Jeff said. “You know what to expect in the world.”
“Obviously you’re going to have a bias towards where you’re from, but Olympia is a great place,” Erika said. “Having a great family like mine is what makes it special to me.”
