Kitsap Pumas' Todd Wallenius: Surf. Sing. Paint. Kick.

Todd Wallenius joins the Kitsap Pumas in 2010 from Whitman College in Walla Walla. Todd is a renaissance man of sorts, enjoying and excelling in multiple activities. Now that he's with the Pumas Wallenius is reunited with "Stevie" (Stephen) Phillips up front. The two combined for a goal last weekend against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a pre-season match. Read more about Todd in the interview below.

"As a youth player I just loved the game," says new Kitsap Pumas attacker Todd Wallenius. "My dad was my coach for my elementary school days. I started when I was four years old playing on a team of all five and six year olds, called the Great Balls of Fire. I realized how important soccer was in my life during high school. I knew that I never wanted to stop playing and that I was willing to give everything I had to be great at the sport." 

Todd took the next step in his soccer career by leaving sunny Southern Cal (Oceanside) for Walla Walla, of all places. "Mike Washington at Whitman College came and saw one of my  high school games and then I took a visit to the campus and fell in love with it and applied early. I was captain senior year, a huge honor, and scored a last minute goal against Colorado College. Also, playing alongside Stephen Phillips, Brett Axelrod, Joe Johnson and other guys their senior year was something special."

So how did Wallenius become a Kitsa Puma? "I heard about the Pumas from Stevie Phillips when he tried out last year. Also, my assistant coach Matt Potter is good friends with Pete Fewing and he told me to try out. I had no idea what to expect going into tryouts, there were a million guys there and everyone was trying to shine. I just did my best, stuck to my game and kept a positive attitude. I officially signed with the club before the Portland Timbers game."

Meet more Pumas: Dustyn Brim, Tony Kerr, Cameron Hepple, Jamel Wallace (video), Tye Perdido (video), Robby Christner, Eli Gordley (video).

Todd Wallenius in his Pumas hoops. (Jenni Conner)

Wallenius might have already signed with the squad, but the hard work is just beginning, including a 381-mile, five and a half hour commute from Walla Walla to Bremerton. "Right now the challenges are getting to trainings and games. I am still in school so I have a long commute each weekend and then am really busy during the week taking care of my body and academics. I think playing time will figure itself out as the season develops. I am excited for whatever role I can play for the team."

What is it that Todd can bring to the Pumas? "In high school I played both center mid and forward, but since coming to college I have focused on forward. My style of play is to work hard and make things happen. I like to play with my back to goal, holding the ball up for the team, winning balls in the air, but also getting behind the defense and running to goal. Mostly, I think my ability to finish in the box is what sets me apart. I like to get into good areas to find the ball in a position to score, turning half chances for the team into goals. I have worked really hard to become the best at that, and I am looking forward to it paying off for the Pumas."

Todd has traded his SoCal paradise for one a bit farther north, but he's already liking West Sound. "Yes, (Kitsap is) a bit different than SoCal but I really like it so far. All of the water and trees are beautiful. I am really looking forward to summer there."

As the headline to this interview states, Todd is good at more than just playing soccer. His Whitman bio has this description: Enjoys painting and has displayed his work in an art show in his hometown ... Avid surfer ... Plays drums/keyboard and sings vocals in a band ... Speaks some Spanish and Japanese.

"Soccer takes priority over all other activities, no matter what," Todd quickly clarifies, "but yeah, I like to do other things as well. Surfing is something I enjoy when I am home, something to get your mind off things. Soccer can be really theraputic to me as well. I love just going out to a goal with a bag of balls and shooting for a couple hours."

A Todd Wallenius painting.

Wallenius scored his first Kitsap goal last weekend against Gonzaga. (See video below) "It was great to link up with Stevie again," laughs Todd. "Reignite the Whitman connection. I remember chesting the ball down to Stevie who ran past a guy in the box. I just dropped back onto the six yard box to receive the ball with my left foot and finish with my right."

Wallenius is willing to say that he has high hopes for the 2010 season. "I expect great things for both myself and the Pumas this year. As a team I want us to play to our full potential everytime we step on the field. Enjoy each game and always play our hardest. If we do that then there is no doubt in my mind that we will be successful. Personally, I want to secure a solid role on the team. I want to help us be the best we can be, and contribute my talents everytime I am given the chance."

The Whitman History major will ride the soccer wave for as long as it goes. "I'd love to play professionally for as long as I can, enjoying each step, but constantly improving and moving up. Eventually I'd love to be a soccer coach and a high school history teacher."

Wallenius, center (head band) heads back to the center circle after scoring his first Kitsap goal against Gonzaga. (Jenni Conner)

Wallenius scores his first Kitsap goal in the video below. The assist is from Whitman mate Stephen Phillips.