Owen Ennis is a junior on the Augustana football team. The observer got a chance to sit down with Ennis and talk about his position. Ennis currently holds an 85.7% kicking percentage on the year, hitting six of seven field goal attempts.
Q: Being a kicker is often regarded as a high pressure position. How do you deal with that pressure?
A: “When it comes to dealing with pressure, I just always try to relax and take a deep breath and fall back on my technique that I work on each and everyday.
I have done this since high school and as a result I have learned how to deal with the pressure that comes with it.”
Q: All kickers miss kicks. How do you deal with missing a kick and what is your attitude like next time you come out to kick?
A: “Kicking is mostly a mental game, you can’t let mistakes stick in your head.
So when I do make a mistake, I just focus on the next kick and fall back on that technique that I talked about earlier.”
Q: How did you first become a kicker, and have you ever played any other position in your football career?
A: “Well growing up I was a soccer player for the majority of my life. When high school came around I decided I wanted to play football, so I thought why not become a kicker? It has worked out and I never really had to play any other positions.”
Q: What is the biggest kick you have ever made?
A: “So far, the biggest kick for me was when I sent my team to the state playoffs on a 37 yard game winner during my senior season.
You never really forget a game-winning kick like that. Hopefully I have a chance to one day hit a winning kick for Augustana in the future.”
Q: What is your attitude going into this final game of the season and into next year?
A: “This game is a defining moment in our program. It will be the first time we will have a winning record since I’ve been here and the seniors have been here.
And for next year we just have to work hard in the offseason so we can be more prepared for tougher opponents in the CCIW.”