“On the field, Katie has been a role model for teammates and younger female athletes.” – Curt Ray
BIG RAPIDS – Katie Williams is getting ready to help her Big Rapids soccer team win a district next week.
But after the season ends, Williams will be busy getting ready for a college soccer career.
Williams was recently among the several Big Rapids athletes who announced her college intentions. She will be playing soccer at Kellogg Community College.
“Katie has been a leader on the soccer field while accumulating 16 goals and 9 assists the past two seasons,” Big Rapids athletic director Dawn Thompson said. “She has earned all-conference, all-district, and all regional recognition.”
“Katie’s hard work, determination, and entertaining sense of
humor has earned her the role of captain the past two years,” Big Rapids coach Curt Ray said. “Her unselfishness and desire to win has helped the Cardinal soccer program to be ranked in the top 10 D-3 schools the last three years. On the field, Katie has been a role model for teammates and younger female athletes. She will leave a void on the team that will be difficult to fill.”
Williams and the Cardinals last week clinched the Central State Activities Association title and will play Reed City at Clare on Tuesday in a district semifinal game.
Williams said the Kellogg CC coach saw her playing in a tournament.
“He reached out to me and I thought he was nice,” Williams said. “The program is building. They just started the program two years ago.”
Williams said she also considered Muskegon Community College. At KCC, she will study nursing.
As for her soccer future after KCC “we’ll see where this takes me,” Williams said. “When I was real young, I knew I wanted to play (college soccer). It’s a blessing. I didn’t really think it could happen.”
Williams is focusing right now on having her soccer team enjoy success and go a step further than a year ago when it lost in the regional finals.
For the Cardinals, Williams has usually been at a defensive mid or forward. Speed has been a strength. She anticipates playing at midfield as a college player.
Soccer has been her only sport.
“In basketball, there’s different plays and stuff,” she said. “In soccer, you just go out there and play wherever you need to be.”
THE KATIE WILLIAMS FILE
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite subject in school: English
Favorite food: Shrimp scampi
Favorite TV show: Bridgerton
Favorite movie: The Divergent Series.
Favorite musical band: Alter Bridge
Favorite activity outside of sports: Video games
Favorite activity outside of sports: Video games.