Athlete of the Week: Kaitlyn Kerrigan

Lakewood Ranch High alumna Kaitlyn Kerrigan scored two goals to lead the Lees-McRae College women’s soccer team to a 2-1 extra time victory over Mount Olive College Oct. 27. With her first career brace, Kerrigan helped lead the Bobcats to their second consecutive Conference Carolinas regular season title.

What was your reaction when your team won the conference title?
I was really excited that my team was regular season champion, again. It is a great feeling to accomplish something we had worked so hard for all season. Being the No. 1 seed for the tournament is always a plus, too.

What does it mean to you to have played such an important role in your team’s win?
Being able to do that for my team was absolutely amazing. I am so lucky to be able to play with such a dedicated and hard-working group of people. I was honored that they had faith in me to take the deciding penalty kick, and I’m glad I was able to pull through for them.

What do you enjoy the most about soccer?
I enjoy the aspect of being on a team. It is awesome to play the game I love with other people who love it just as much as I do. The people I have met playing soccer are incredible, and I will be friends with them the rest of my life.

How do you think you’ve developed as a player over the past three years?
Not only have I developed physically as a player, but I also have developed mentally as a player. College soccer is a lot more competitive and a lot faster paced, and mental toughness is what gets you through it when your body is telling you, you cannot.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I would like to become a graduate assistant and go to graduate school for exercise science. My ultimate goal is to eventually coach soccer at the collegiate level.

Who is your biggest role model?
My biggest role models are definitely my parents. They have taught me to always work hard, never give up and to always do what makes you happy. They have made me the person I am today, and I am so blessed to have had such amazing people to raise and mentor me.

What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas. It is my favorite because I love being around family and carrying out all of our traditions.

What is your favorite dessert?
You can never go wrong with a bowl of ice cream!