Richard Bland Names Dusan Stankovic Athlete of the Week
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. – Richard Bland College sophomore men's soccer team captain Dusan Stankovic/Belgrade, Serbia has been named the Athletics Department's Athlete of the Week for the period October 9-15. The midfielder led the nationally-ranked No. 15 Statesmen to a 4-1 road win at Region X opponent Wake Technical (N.C.) Community College on Oct. 13. Stankovic started the match and scored two goals against the Eagles, including the what proved to be the game-winner on a penalty kick in the second half. He has started 14 contests this season for Richard Bland (15-1, 12-1 Region X), totaling 10 goals (three game-winners) and two assists for 22 points, while tied for second on the team in goals and points, third in game-winning goals and tied for ninth in assists.
Stankovic earned All-Region X First Team honors last season, posting six goals and four assists totaling 16 points in 20 matches. He was also named a Richard Bland Athlete of the Week about a year ago for the period September 27-Oct. 4, 2016.
Please see below for a brief Q&A on his most recent Athlete of the Week selection. Athletes of the Week are chosen by members of the Richard Bland Athletics Department.
Q: How does it feel to be named Richard Bland Athlete of the Week?
DS: It is certainly a great feeling and an honor to be named as an Athlete of the Week.
Q: How did you get started in your sport and how long have you played?
DS: In Europe, soccer is sport number one. Everyone is playing soccer in their free time, so I started playing when I was about six or seven years old. Soccer has become one of the biggest passions in my life.
Q: What do you like most about your team?
DS: The winning mentality that we have, including our coaches. Whenever something looks hard or impossible, we find the mental strength in our minds to make things possible for us.
Q: Who is your funniest teammate/why?
DS: Hussein Osman, no competition. He is a born clown!
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals/superstitions?
DS: I don't have too many rituals. I like to take care of my body and during that time, I make a plan in my head – what's best to do and which moves to make.
Q: What is your favorite place on campus/why?
DS: It's either Statesman Hall in the team locker room or athletic training room, or the soccer field. Those places associate me with happiness.
Q: What is your favorite class/professor/why?
DS: Sociology with Dr. Jena D. Morrison, Associate Professor of Sociology. I love the way she teaches it. I was not familiar with the subject before taking her class, but now I am interested and like the class. I try to do my best in every class, but when I enjoy the class like this, I try even harder to do well!