The women’s soccer team got off to a great start in the NCAA Championships with their win over Georgia Southern! Throughout their intense and successful season, freshman Katie Dry has been a key player. A midfielder and art-enthusiast from Minden, Nevada, Katie is already making her mark, both on and off the field.
Katie took her first steps on the soccer field at age five. It was love at first, well, dribble! And she continued playing throughout her childhood. Considering her great athletic genes (her parents were both track runners), it was no surprise that she kicked butt in high school, on the basketball court and track as well, as the soccer field. But before long, Katie discovered that soccer was her one true love.
In high school, Katie noticed a sign for Wake Forest while driving around North Carolina for a tournament. Receiving an email in her inbox from the head coach a few weeks later further fueled her interest. Wake was her last stop on the college tour, but after visiting, she says there was “no question that I wanted to come here.”
So, what does one do to prep for their first season of college athletics? Be in amazing shape! Before getting to Wake, Katie focused all of her energy on getting into the best physical shape possible. She explains how fear-motivation was a large part of it – fear of not being up to par with the other athletes, and fear of being mentally unprepared. To be sure that she was on top of her game, she played with the boys’ high school team, and with guys that had recently graduated.
“It was a blast, and such a great way to keep my foot on the ball and play a little bit more!” she says.
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Playing on the Wake team is a whole different ballgame than high school soccer..pun intended! For this young star, the biggest difference on the field has been the increased pace of play, which she says “forces me to really think on my toes and make quick decisions.” Another challenge came with the transition from being a big fish in a small pond, to one of the many super-skilled Wake soccer girls.
Despite the challenges, she’s been encouraged by the team’s strong family feel.
“Everybody on the team gets along, and that’s pretty rare among teams,” she says.
Between a rigorous athletic schedule, full course load, and the myriad of other activities that consume a freshman’s life, Katie Dry is taking college – and the NCAA – by storm!
*Article by Sarah Lewis