Taking charge

Katy Mixon had something to prove.

And, yet, at the same time she was holding back.

As the new face on the Riverview High girls soccer team four years ago, the then-freshman forward was easily intimidated. Surrounded by a host of veteran players, Mixon knew what she was capable of but, at the same time, refused to show it.

Rather than dribbling the ball toward the goal and firing off shot after shot, Mixon would pass the ball back to her teammates, allowing others to step into the limelight.

“When you’re four years younger, it’s hard to measure up both in terms of skill and physicality,” Mixon says. “I was really nervous to take shots.

“I wanted to lay off, so I didn’t look stupid. I just tried to get them to like me.”

It took Mixon a year to adjust to her newfound role, and she slowly began to step out of her shell.

By her senior season, Mixon was finally comfortable settling into the spotlight. Mixon, who transitioned from forward back to center midfield, led Riverview in goals (14) and assists (9) this season while propelling the Lady Rams to an 8-8 record.

“She’s evolved into a very knowledgeable player,” coach Jamie Brester says. “At the beginning, she was shy and reserved. She knew she had all of this talent, but she was resistant to show it. I remember saying to her, ‘You’re a goal-scorer. You need to be selfish and shoot the ball.’ She’s definitely stepped out of her shell since then.”

Now, with her senior season behind her, Mixon is preparing to prove herself once again.

Mixon recently signed a national letter of intent to play soccer for the University of West Georgia.

Mixon also looked at Florida Southern College and Youngstown State University in Ohio before settling on West Georgia, which allowed her the opportunity to move out of state and experience a different landscape.

In signing her letter of intent, Mixon fulfilled a dream she’s harbored since she was a little girl after watching her cousins, who, along with her uncle, inspired her to pick up the sport, play college soccer.

“It’s such a relief knowing I have somewhere to go and play,” says Mixon, who also plays for the Brandon Flames’ U18 team. “It’s really exciting, too.

“I’m just looking forward to still being able to play soccer,” Mixon says. “A lot of girls aren’t able to play in college, so I’m just going to savor these last four years that I can play soccer.”

BY THE NUMBERS
4 - The number of years Mixon was on Riverview’s varsity squad

8 - The number of wins Mixon helped lead Riverview to this season

3 - The number of colleges Mixon was looking at before choosing the University of West Georgia

17 - Mixon’s jersey number during her time at Riverview

2 - The number of positions Mixon played during her four years at Riverview

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].