In this world, she isn’t just someone with a famous last name that is associated with pianos.
Karlin Wurlitzer, co-captain of Mililani’s three-peat Oahu Interscholastic Association girls soccer champions, is joyfully engaged in the game of success. It extends beyond the pitch, where she absorbed every nuance since she could walk. Wurlitzer and her siblings have been at their parents’ soccer matches since the beginning. Lisa and Dane Wurlitzer still play in leagues every weekend. In fact, Lisa and daughters Karlin and Danean played together last year on Lisa’s team in the Women’s Island Soccer Association.
But that’s only half of the universe, according to Karlin. The 4.0 grade-point average student also seems to be the byproduct, not in her words, of what amounts to a photogenic memory.
The senior can recite the first 40, sometimes 50, digits of pi.
“My math teacher, Mr. Riehle, has this poster of digits of pi in his classroom,” Wurlitzer recalled. “One time, I finished a test early and didn’t know what to do, so I said, ‘Maybe I can memorize this.’ Is that surprising?”
Oh yes, young soccer Jedi. Yes, it is.
“She’s not your normal kid. She’s got her little quirks, too,” Lisa Wurlitzer said. “She’s been blessed with the talents she has. As a parent, you want your kids to put their noses to the grindstone, but it doesn’t seem that difficult for her. Her teachers will tell me she comes from a totally different place.”
Aside from AP Calculus and AP Psychology — Wurlitzer is not satisfied with a mere 4.0 — she has a love for musicals (“Coco,” “Hamilton” and almost all things Broadway). She also thrives on the challenge of mastering academics in the midst of year-round soccer (Mililani, Leahi). The message in music sometimes surpasses intellectual knowledge. Wurlitzer embraces the spirit as much as the equation.
“There are these lyrics from ‘Hamilton’ — ‘Rise up, wise up, eyes up’ by Lin-Manuel Miranda,” she said. “It’s about how you rise to your challenges, confront them and face them.”
The past two years weren’t quite smooth sailing. Physically, Wurlitzer had to rest an overused knee. Then came a shoulder injury that became recurring. She had arthroscopic surgery in the offseason and was out of competition for three months.
“They stapled the ligament to the bone so it wouldn’t slide so much,” Wurlitzer said.
She missed the first two weeks of preseason, but returned quickly to form. Mililani (12-2) finished third in the OIA West during the regular season. Losses to Pearl City and Aiea dropped the mighty Trojans into a place quite unfamiliar. Without their customary first-round bye, the 16-time OIA champions had to work their way up for a 17th title, blanking Kahuku 6-0, Castle 2-0, previously unbeaten Pearl City 1-0, and then East No. 1 Kaiser 2-0.
Four matches. Four shutouts. Mililani’s offense, while potent with Amber Tadeo-Gilbert, Tehani Furuta and Jaylen Lum attacking, isn’t quite the juggernaut of the 2015 squad that captured the state crown. This year’s group has relied more on defense. Wurlitzer is often in the eye of the storm, a holding mid who is part middle blocker, part shortstop, part point forward.
“It’s a linebacker (on a soccer field),” longtime Mililani coach Ray Akiona said. “It’s essential. She has defensive responsibilities, but is also the first phase of the counter attack. She has to commit to starting the offense, as well. Most defenders just defend the line and release the play forward. Karlin is in the position to actually play it forward.”
It is a job especially fitting for the 5-foot-10 Wurlitzer.
“We’ve had a few players in that position before, but with Karlin’s mobility and smarts, she fills that position well. It’s something that suits her personality and skill level, and gives her more freedom to utilize what she does well,” Akiona said.
Dexterity of mind and size of heart also make her a valued co-captain along with Furuta and Jodi Lillie.
“Karlin has the composure, compassion and the competitiveness,” Akiona said. “She’s compassionate for all her teammates, including those who may not get as much playing time. She’s so aware and that’s what makes her stand out so much.”
At Idaho State, Wurlitzer plans to major in biology.
“I probably won’t go into medicine, but something similar,” she said.
By then, she might be a pioneer in a field that doesn’t even exist at this moment.
“With her intelligence,” Akiona said, “she can go into any field she wants.”
The state tournament is nearing. Mililani held its own against some ILH powerhouses in preseason, but the ferocity of the OIA West taught the Lady Trojans how to forge a new identity.
“Losing got us more focused,” Wurlitzer said. “We just know our style and ourselves a little better now.”
KARLIN WURLITZER
>> School, sport: Mililani soccer
>> Class: Senior
>> GPA: 4.0 “I’m taking some AP classes, so hopefully it gets higher.”
Food (at home): Chicken noodle soup
“Canned. Yup. I usually have Campbell’s. I like it.”
Food (eating out): Panda Express
“Chow fun and orange chicken. I usually get it as a bowl.”
FAVORITES
Hobby outside of sports: Writing
“I like creative writing — putting my ideas onto paper.”
Movie: “Coco”
“It’s such a good story and there’s so much Spanish culture involved, it’s really interesting to watch. It’s classic Disney, the music is good. The movie makes you feel good.”
TV Show: “The Good Doctor”
“We watch it on demand. I haven’t had time to catch up. I’ve been busy with soccer, so I have to go back and watch it.”
Music artist: Lin-Manuel Miranda
“I’ve listened to Hamilton probably upwards of 50 times. It’s Broadway, but it’s contemporary. I like a lot of Broadway musicals, actually. My favorite would have to be ‘In The Heights.’ That’s by Lin-Manuel Miranda, too.”