2009 Capital University Graduate and Clyde Lamb Award Winner Kara Guster, Volleyball - Track & Field
I WILL graduate from Physical Therapy school
I WILL return to support my former volleyball program
I WILL spend the rest of my life with another Capital graduate
2009 Capital University graduate and former volleyball player Kara Guster was recently recognized as CU's female recipient of the Clyde Lamb Award. The prestigious award recognizes student athletes that have obtained at least a 3.0 grade-point-average, participated in an OAC sport for at least two years, and have displayed outstanding sportsmanlike conduct that has brought credit to themselves and their institution.
Guster, along with her fiancé and fellow Capital graduate and former offensive linemen Brad Armstrong, sat down with sports information assistant Bryan DeArdo to talk about winning the Clyde Lamb Award, their wedding plans, and what sport and position they hope their future son will play.
BD: What were you initial thoughts when you were told you were the Clyde Award winner?
Kara: I was really honored that I was chosen. You don't go to school to win awards, but it very rewarding when you are recognized and are able to represent your school and your teammates in a positive way.
BD: What was the award ceremony like?
Kara: I enjoyed it because it was a big celebration for all for all of the athletes and coaches in the OAC. It was cool to see the other athletes and coaches get recognized. I think the OAC is a really tight knit conference, so hearing from the other athletes and coaches was a really cool thing to witness.
BD: How does it feel to be a college graduate?
Kara: It feels good knowing that I'm done with one aspect of my college career. I have three and a half years ahead of me in Physical Therapy school, and then I hope to find a Physical Therapy field I'd like to have a career in.
BD: Where are you going for Physical Therapy school?
Kara: I will be in Ohio State's Physical Therapy program. I was really excited about that when I found out. I worked my whole undergrad to get into a program like that. It was also nice because Brad's job (a manager at the Buckle in Lancaster) is in town.
BD: How did you two meet?
Kara: We met during track season back in 2006. We were both on the track team and were throwers.
Brad: The weather was bad on the first day of practice. She asked me if we were practicing outside. When I said yes she said bye and went home. Needless to say I was glad she came back to practice the next day.
Kara: I wasn't even going to throw that season. My grandfather passed away before that track season, and he really wanted me to go out for the team, so I decided to. It's weird that things worked out the way they did.
BD: What was the engagement like?
Brad: It was cool because she had no idea. We're big Indians fans, so we went down to a Reds-Indians game in Cincinnati last year on May 16. I talked her into walking down the Ohio River pathway with me, and I purposed once we were away and had some peace.
BD: I'm sure this wasn't in the foremost of your thoughts, but did the Indians win that night?
Kara: The Indians lost but we were happy. I spent the whole game text messaging and calling all my friends and family.
BD: How active has Brad been with the wedding plans?
Kara: He's been pretty good. He's gone to most of the meetings, and has only missed a few because of work. The hardest part has been picking the colors for the wedding, as funny as that sounds.
BD: What's the spread for the reception?
Kara: Pork tenderloins and stuffed chicken breasts.
BD: Any Capital people in the wedding?
Kara: Two of my friends that played volleyball with me, Heidi Roese and Kelly Steineman.
Brad: Adam Fausnaugh will be in my wedding party. We played football together here at Capital.
BD: Where's the honeymoon going to be?
Kara: St. Lucia, a resort located below the Caribbean, northeast from South America. I heard about it and decided to look into it. I found some really cool photos and did some research, and we decided to go there.
BD: Looking back at your Capital career, what were some of the defining moments for you?
Kara: Winning the OAC tournament my freshmen year was a really exciting time. The NCAA Tournament games in St. Louis we played in were really cool.
BD: Do you guys still wish to stay connected to Capital in some capacity?
Kara: I'll probably always be connected with Coach (Pam) Briggs. I definitely plan on going to the games this season and cheer for the girls that I've gotten so close to. According to Brad, we're going to have a Capital room in our house.
Brad: Yes, we are having a Capital room (laughs). We have so many helmets, jerseys, and awards from our time here that I think it would be cool to put them all into one room.
Kara: We bought the pillows for the room today. We spent probably an hour at Target today.
BD: I know this is looking way ahead, but have you found a compromise on the sport you want your kids to play?
Kara: We'd like to have a son that is going to be a long snapper (laughs). Growing up, nobody says, "I want to be a long snapper," so he could get really good at it and that could take him pretty far. It's a position that he could be successful at if he started working at it and enjoyed it early on. We hope he get's Brad's football genes.
Brad: He could also play some linemen, too.
Kara: I don't think so. He should just focus on the long snapping (laughs).