University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
How Olympic Lineage Found its Way to the Hub City
10/17/2018 12:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The unique background of Southern Miss redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sarah Preston
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Family and community are two terms that are often used to describe the atmosphere at the University of Southern Mississippi, and that is what lured redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sarah Preston away from the West Coast and to the heart of the Deep South.
Preston wasn't really looking to transfer from the University of Oregon but the Menlo Park, Calif. native managed to find her way to the campus of Southern Miss anyway.
"On my visit, I could just feel the family and community within the coaching staff, the team, and the school itself. Everyone here is working together to make everyone's individual experience the best experience," said Preston.
Being the lone player on the Southern Miss soccer roster who hails from a state west of the Mississippi River, combined with PAC-12 experience, makes Preston a unique individual, but her uniqueness doesn't stop there.
Her player bio on the Southern Miss website reads like most other athletes at the university. It lists information about the previous schools that she attended, her hometown, major, etc. and that she is "The daughter of Jim and Susan Preston."
What's even more interesting, is what her bio doesn't say. Her mother is indeed Susan Preston. However, before she married Jim Preston, she was known as Sue Heon. If you are a fan of the Olympics or competitive swimming, the name Sue Heon will probably ring a bell.
Heon swam competitively for the University of Pittsburgh from 1981-1985, where she eventually became a four-time All-American. In 1983, she finished the season as the Big East Champion in the 500 and 1650 freestyle and 200 and 400 IM. As a senior at Pitt in 1985, after taking a one year hiatus, Heon claimed the Big East Championship in the 500 and 1650 freestyle, the 400 IM and the 200 backstroke. She is known as a legend at the Tress Hall Pool on the campus of Pittsburgh.
The hiatus that Heon took in 1984, in what would have been her senior year at Pitt, was for good reason. That reason was so that she could pursue her dream of representing the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif.
In June of 1984, a hopeful 22-year old Sue Heon entered the pool in Indianapolis, Ind., at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, with dreams of making the U.S. Olympic Team. Former Executive Director of U.S. Swimming, Ray Essick, called the trials, "The toughest meet in the world" due to the fierce competition.
Heon's dream of being an Olympian would soon become a reality as she defeated her swim club teammate, Polly Winde, for second place in the final 30 meters of the women's 400 IM. She finished second to Tracy Caulkins who was named the U.S. women's swim team captain that year and eventually went on to become a three-time Olympic gold medalist, a five-time world champion and world-record holder in three different events over the course of her career.
Despite being a highly decorated collegiate swimmer, Heon was still considered somewhat of an underdog in Indianapolis. Winde, who at the time was dating her now husband, and former MLB star B.J. Surhoff, was devastated by the defeat. Surhoff was a member of the U.S. Olympic baseball team in 1984 and he and Winde had hopes of attending the games together as representatives in their respective sports.
Heon had hopes of her own though and she swam her heart out to become one of the 43 swimmers to make the U.S. Olympic team. Her time of 4:46:37 that she swam in the trials, shattered her own personal record by three seconds. She went on to place fourth in the final event of the women's 400 IM at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Prior to her Olympic run in 1984, Heon finished as the runner-up in the 1983 Pan Pacific meet in the women's 400 IM. In 1982, she won the women's 400 IM at the USA-USSR dual meet.
Sarah Preston didn't just receive her athletic ability from her mother, her father, Jim, was a highly competitive athlete as well, having been a former Ironman Triathlon competitor.
Preston says she didn't inherit the swimming genes.
"I was really bad at swimming," she said. "I was drowning when I tried to swim. I was very tall for my age and I had long limbs. I was really good at basketball and soccer. In middle school, I fell in love with being a goalkeeper. I loved diving on the ground and talking to my defenders. I think I just loved soccer the most and that is why I continue to play."
Being a kid in the Bay Area certainly has its advantages when it comes to soccer. Preston grew up in the shadows of Stanford University where she watched the likes of current U.S. Women's National Soccer team members Kelley O'Hara and Christen Press during their time with the Cardinal.
Although the Preston's didn't have a soccer background, their love and support is what meant the most to their daughter during her younger years.
"They were the type of parents that were always willing to drive two hours for practice and games," said Sarah. "It wasn't necessarily the training, it was the support that they provided me and my brother. Knowing that I would have someone on the sideline after a long game or in LA with me, I think that was the biggest thing."
Her love and passion for the sport of soccer combined with her talent and work ethic eventually allowed her to reach her ultimate goal of playing at the Division I level. Preston said the most important piece of advice that she takes away from her parents is 'Never lose the love for my sport.'
Transferring to Southern Miss has helped her find that love again.
"I think that across the board is a big reason why so many people lose interest," said Preston. "Never forget the reason why you are playing. I think I lost that and I am glad that I found it again here at Southern Miss. The love of the sport is the biggest thing."
Preston, along with the rest of the Golden Eagles, are currently enjoying one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Golden Eagles posted their first 10-win season since 1999 after defeating UTSA on Thursday. With three regular season matches remaining on their schedule, Southern Miss has put themselves in a good position to make a postseason run.
The Golden Eagles success this season comes as no surprise to the young goalkeeper as she had confidence in her team long before they even played a conference match.
"We know how good we are as a team but no one expects us to do anything in conference," said Preston. "Our coaches are so supportive and encouraging. They tell us that we have every tool at our feet and that we can do it. For us to win the conference and go to the NCAA tournament would just prove to all of us that we belong. I think once we are able to do that this program will be unstoppable."
As for Susan and Jim Preston, they can be found in the stands at the Southern Miss Soccer Complex when they make the cross country trek to watch their daughter play.
Instead of swimming nowadays, Susan spends her days teaching 4th grade at Encinal Elementary in Atherton, Calif. Although her Olympic days have come and gone, her competitive spirit lives on through her daughter.
The same joyful smile that was found on the face of a young Sue Heon emerging from a pool in Indianapolis after qualifying for the Olympics on a summer afternoon in 1984 is the same smile that can be found on a pitch in Hattiesburg, Miss., over 2,000 miles away from the Preston's California home when their daughter, Sarah, suits up for the Golden Eagles with her rekindled love for the sport of soccer.
Preston wasn't really looking to transfer from the University of Oregon but the Menlo Park, Calif. native managed to find her way to the campus of Southern Miss anyway.
"On my visit, I could just feel the family and community within the coaching staff, the team, and the school itself. Everyone here is working together to make everyone's individual experience the best experience," said Preston.
Being the lone player on the Southern Miss soccer roster who hails from a state west of the Mississippi River, combined with PAC-12 experience, makes Preston a unique individual, but her uniqueness doesn't stop there.
Her player bio on the Southern Miss website reads like most other athletes at the university. It lists information about the previous schools that she attended, her hometown, major, etc. and that she is "The daughter of Jim and Susan Preston."
What's even more interesting, is what her bio doesn't say. Her mother is indeed Susan Preston. However, before she married Jim Preston, she was known as Sue Heon. If you are a fan of the Olympics or competitive swimming, the name Sue Heon will probably ring a bell.
Heon swam competitively for the University of Pittsburgh from 1981-1985, where she eventually became a four-time All-American. In 1983, she finished the season as the Big East Champion in the 500 and 1650 freestyle and 200 and 400 IM. As a senior at Pitt in 1985, after taking a one year hiatus, Heon claimed the Big East Championship in the 500 and 1650 freestyle, the 400 IM and the 200 backstroke. She is known as a legend at the Tress Hall Pool on the campus of Pittsburgh.
The hiatus that Heon took in 1984, in what would have been her senior year at Pitt, was for good reason. That reason was so that she could pursue her dream of representing the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif.
In June of 1984, a hopeful 22-year old Sue Heon entered the pool in Indianapolis, Ind., at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, with dreams of making the U.S. Olympic Team. Former Executive Director of U.S. Swimming, Ray Essick, called the trials, "The toughest meet in the world" due to the fierce competition.
Heon's dream of being an Olympian would soon become a reality as she defeated her swim club teammate, Polly Winde, for second place in the final 30 meters of the women's 400 IM. She finished second to Tracy Caulkins who was named the U.S. women's swim team captain that year and eventually went on to become a three-time Olympic gold medalist, a five-time world champion and world-record holder in three different events over the course of her career.
Despite being a highly decorated collegiate swimmer, Heon was still considered somewhat of an underdog in Indianapolis. Winde, who at the time was dating her now husband, and former MLB star B.J. Surhoff, was devastated by the defeat. Surhoff was a member of the U.S. Olympic baseball team in 1984 and he and Winde had hopes of attending the games together as representatives in their respective sports.
Heon had hopes of her own though and she swam her heart out to become one of the 43 swimmers to make the U.S. Olympic team. Her time of 4:46:37 that she swam in the trials, shattered her own personal record by three seconds. She went on to place fourth in the final event of the women's 400 IM at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Prior to her Olympic run in 1984, Heon finished as the runner-up in the 1983 Pan Pacific meet in the women's 400 IM. In 1982, she won the women's 400 IM at the USA-USSR dual meet.
Sarah Preston didn't just receive her athletic ability from her mother, her father, Jim, was a highly competitive athlete as well, having been a former Ironman Triathlon competitor.
Preston says she didn't inherit the swimming genes.
"I was really bad at swimming," she said. "I was drowning when I tried to swim. I was very tall for my age and I had long limbs. I was really good at basketball and soccer. In middle school, I fell in love with being a goalkeeper. I loved diving on the ground and talking to my defenders. I think I just loved soccer the most and that is why I continue to play."
Being a kid in the Bay Area certainly has its advantages when it comes to soccer. Preston grew up in the shadows of Stanford University where she watched the likes of current U.S. Women's National Soccer team members Kelley O'Hara and Christen Press during their time with the Cardinal.
Although the Preston's didn't have a soccer background, their love and support is what meant the most to their daughter during her younger years.
"They were the type of parents that were always willing to drive two hours for practice and games," said Sarah. "It wasn't necessarily the training, it was the support that they provided me and my brother. Knowing that I would have someone on the sideline after a long game or in LA with me, I think that was the biggest thing."
Her love and passion for the sport of soccer combined with her talent and work ethic eventually allowed her to reach her ultimate goal of playing at the Division I level. Preston said the most important piece of advice that she takes away from her parents is 'Never lose the love for my sport.'
Transferring to Southern Miss has helped her find that love again.
"I think that across the board is a big reason why so many people lose interest," said Preston. "Never forget the reason why you are playing. I think I lost that and I am glad that I found it again here at Southern Miss. The love of the sport is the biggest thing."
Preston, along with the rest of the Golden Eagles, are currently enjoying one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Golden Eagles posted their first 10-win season since 1999 after defeating UTSA on Thursday. With three regular season matches remaining on their schedule, Southern Miss has put themselves in a good position to make a postseason run.
The Golden Eagles success this season comes as no surprise to the young goalkeeper as she had confidence in her team long before they even played a conference match.
"We know how good we are as a team but no one expects us to do anything in conference," said Preston. "Our coaches are so supportive and encouraging. They tell us that we have every tool at our feet and that we can do it. For us to win the conference and go to the NCAA tournament would just prove to all of us that we belong. I think once we are able to do that this program will be unstoppable."
As for Susan and Jim Preston, they can be found in the stands at the Southern Miss Soccer Complex when they make the cross country trek to watch their daughter play.
Instead of swimming nowadays, Susan spends her days teaching 4th grade at Encinal Elementary in Atherton, Calif. Although her Olympic days have come and gone, her competitive spirit lives on through her daughter.
The same joyful smile that was found on the face of a young Sue Heon emerging from a pool in Indianapolis after qualifying for the Olympics on a summer afternoon in 1984 is the same smile that can be found on a pitch in Hattiesburg, Miss., over 2,000 miles away from the Preston's California home when their daughter, Sarah, suits up for the Golden Eagles with her rekindled love for the sport of soccer.
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