Lauren O'Connell

Lauren O'Connell played soccer at Baylor University from 2014-2017 and then appeared on Season 38 of the hit reality show Survivor in 2019 where she finished in 5th place.  She talks about growing up in Bakersfield, California, how she got into soccer, her great career at Frontier High School where she was a 4 year varsity starter, and her club soccer career.  She discusses the recruiting process, why she chose Baylor, and the transition from high school soccer to Division I college soccer.  Lauren then describes her career at Baylor, being injured 85% of her time there with several knee injuries and Compartment Syndrome, learning to be a great teammate, and her incredible senior season in 2017 where Baylor won the Big 12 Conference and made it all the way to the Elite Eight.  She explains watching the show Survivor since she was a little girl with her family, making it on the show after applying just once, her experience on Season 38, the twist of "the Edge of Extinction", her friendship with Kelley Wentworth, the misplayed idol, and whether or not she'd play again.