Junior men’s soccer player Alex Wilson (Ashland, Wis.) is a three-year letter winner of the Gustavus men’s soccer team, known for his work ethic on and off the field. Wilson, a double major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Classics, recently completed his Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), pursuing a medical school education. Wilson is well on his way to a medical school of his choice, scoring in the top two percent.
“Heartiest congratulations to Alex – he certainly deserves any success he has, and may achieve,” said Gustavus Men’s Soccer Head Coach Mike Middleton. “He has the enviable combination of being greatly talented, and being a studious, hard-working individual. This score should give him a pretty good choice of medical schools to look at. I’m so pleased for him, knowing the effort he puts into achieving this success.”
The MCAT is developed and conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and is a standardized exam used to guide medical school admissions in assessing problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts relating to the study of medicine.
“The MCAT is a big test, over seven hours in a chair,” said Wilson. “It was stressful but I felt prepared. I am very grateful for the test result, but I am not surprised. Gustavus provided the opportunity; I provided the drive. Many people helped me along the way.”
With many student-athletes on the team pursuing degrees in programs such as pre-med, physical therapy, and pre-dentistry, the men’s soccer program prioritizes its biology and chemistry labs around practice times. The team has met the challenge of a demanding school and soccer schedule, producing 15 Academic All-Conference recipients over the past three seasons as well as three academic All-Americans in the last six years. Gustavus also ranks third highest nationally for NCAA post-graduate scholarship awards behind Stanford and Emory. For their commendable academic work during the 2015-16 academic year, the Gustie men earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic Award in the fall, receiving recognition after qualifying with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the entire academic year.
“The players are a product of their environment in terms of success, both on the field and off the playing field,” Middleton commented. “It’s great that we have so many good players, all looking to improve playing-wise, pushing each other, and all supporting each other. That process is happening away from the field also. The student-athletes are a product of an academic environment created – that environment gives rise to success. The lads are supporting and pushing each other and it’s through players like Alex that we are able to foster this process.”
On the soccer field, Wilson has played 20 career games in Black and Gold. He played in a career-high 12 games in 2016, tallying his first collegiate goal and earning a spot on the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. His sole goal of the season stood as the game-winner vs. Carleton College Oct. 1 on homecoming day. WATCH Wilson’s goal vs. Carleton.
“Soccer is demanding,” said Wilson. “Coach Middleton expects a lot out of us and it is hard work, but the rewards are worth it: resilience in the face of obstacles, competitiveness in all walks of life, and the capacity to enjoy the moment. It is nice having a support system in college (the soccer team); more than just friends, a family. As a freshman I found myself seeking the advice of the older guys on the squad. I am eager to pay the favor forward. We have a strong freshmen class, academically inclined and gifted on the field.”
On top of studying the molecular basis of life as a biochemistry and molecular biology major, Wilson also studies Greek and Latin culture in the department of Classics. Devoting his time to being an athlete and a double-major student, Wilson credits his academic success to Gustavus.
“Gustavus has given me the opportunity to pursue my passions in science, while also exploring new bodies of knowledge and discovering new passions, such as Classics,” Wilson said.