Keeping busy hasn’t been a problem for Lindsey Ahlen during her high school tenure at Seabury Academy.

Which makes it tough to track her down for an interview. Between soccer practice, play rehearsal, scheduled college visits and a tough load of college prep classes, the senior has precious little time to actually discuss any of it.

However, once it comes to fruition, it’s clear the 5-foot-10 multi-sport star takes her role as one of the most highly decorated athletes in the school’s relatively brief history quite seriously. Not only is she cognizant of the impact she’s had on the Seahawks’ volleyball, girls basketball and girls soccer programs as a go-to player, but also as a leader responsible for shaping the futures of younger players looking to follow in her footsteps.

Now, it’s one final busy semester before heading off to college, where she can focus on one sport, one particular academic pursuit and one lifelong goal to see the world.

You have an extensive athletic background at Seabury Academy, having already won 10 athletic letters. What’s it like knowing this soccer season will be your final season as a high school athlete?

It’s sad, but it’s also kind of exciting, because you think you have a whole bunch of experience to go to the next level. And then you see people, freshmen, stepping into your place, which is even more exciting, because I love to teach them what I know or give them an example to follow.

Looking back over your Seabury career, what are some of the highlights?

In volleyball this year, there’s always those girls who aren’t the stars, the best athlete on the team, and whenever they make a great block, they get so excited. That’s my favorite moment – when they achieve their goal. One of the (basketball) freshmen this year, she scored her first basket in a game that we played, and she was more excited than anyone on the team had ever been, because it was her first. I like to see those young players achieve their goals.

Which of the three sports is your favorite? Which is your best? Are they the same?

Seabury Academy goalie Lindsey Ahlen hopes to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level next fall when she enrolls at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. By the time her senior season with the Seahawks ends, she will have won 11 varsity letters, including four apiece in soccer and volleyball and three in basketball.

It was between volleyball or soccer in college. I told my mom volleyball, because I wouldn’t get hurt as much, but I changed my mind to soccer, because I saw it being more important in my life, internationally. I love to play soccer. It’s more rough. It takes more work.

It seems like a lot of the really good athletes are drawn to the goalie position in soccer. What is it about playing in the goal that excites you or drew you to the position?

Usually I’m an attacker, like in volleyball or basketball. But in soccer, in seventh grade I chose goalie because I didn’t want to run. And I became good at it. I learned from an eighth-grader and a ninth-grader my first year. We didn’t have a goalie coach. … When I’m back in the goal, I always daydream about going up and there and scoring a goal. Then again, I know defense is my business, and I really like that because it puts me in a position where I can really see everything. And I like being tough.

Goals are usually at a premium in soccer. So how much of a rush do you get when you’re able to make a big stop?

I don’t realize it at first. I’m like, ‘Did I save that ball?’ And I look back and I see everybody’s like, ‘Good job.’ … Some saves I’ve made, I was surprised I made. Afterward, if I played a good game, I’m excited, even if we lost. If I did something wrong and we won, I’m disappointed but I’m also happy. I want to contribute to my team, and if I didn’t, I didn’t do my job.

Seabury faces some special challenges because of the school’s size and its independent status. How frustrating is it that you don’t get to play as full a schedule as some other people and have to push for games?

I’ve always been on a team that was lacking something, either players or money or games. So to get more experience, I played club soccer (for the Kansas Soccer Academy). I consider club more serious ball. Some consider high school more serious. But I understand high school is a place where not many players are experienced, and it is a disadvantage. But we have the beginnings of a really good soccer team.

Looking back, are you glad you made the choice to attend Seabury, or do you wonder what it would have been like to go to a bigger, public school?

I’ve always gone to a private school. I chose Bishop Seabury mainly for junior high, and then I liked it even more in ninth grade. I had troubles toward the middle of high school, but I stuck to it because I like it. I want academics more than sports. I thought this place would prepare me for something more important in the future.

What are your future plans?

I’m going to Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., and I want to play soccer there. I’ve talked to the coach. I think I have to try out. I want to study art history and something international (so I can travel).