Cheryl Martin

Which sport do you play? Soccer

What position do you play? For league I play Defense and for High School I play Midfield

What school do you attend? Spring Valley High School

How long have you played and what motivated you to get involved in this sport?
I have been playing soccer for 13 years, since I was three. I started playing when my parents coached my sister’s team because it looked fun. I didn’t know then that I would stay so involved & fall in love with the sport.

Please list any accomplishments you are proud of achieving in your sport:
Nevada Olympic Development Program State Player 4 years, All Southwest Division Player 3years, All Sunset Region Player 2years, All Southern Nevada All Star Team Player 2 years, Nevada All State Academic Team 3 years, Athletic Scholar 3 years,
Team Captain 2years

What do you like most about your sport? In soccer there are no time outs. It tests you physically & mentally. Even if you are tired you must stay focused & react quickly. One mistake could mean the difference between a win or a loss.

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV and why? That would have to be football! In soccer I can’t tackle anyone or I would be thrown out of the game. I love to watch the physical play of the game.

Who is your favorite athlete or person you draw inspiration from? Why do you draw inspiration from this person? This might sound funny but Rudy Rudicker (Notre Dame Football player). He was determined to achieve his goals no matter what people said or who stood in his way! He had heart & love of the game!

Do you have a favorite saying? “Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to!”

Do you think that being an athlete helps or hinders you with your academic studies? Being ranked #1 in my class with a 4.575 GPA, it’s going to be hard to convince you that sports hinders my academics. It’s not easy keeping up with studies while making a commitment to a sport. It makes you organize your time & become more efficient. Besides, what fun would life be if everything was easy?

Do you plan on pursuing your sport at the college level? Yes, definitely! I am very fortunate that as a Junior I have already received scholarship offers for soccer and/or academics. Some of the schools I am in contact with include: Yale, TCU, SDSU, UNLV, BYU, Texas A&M, University of Houston, Boise State, Loyola Marymount & University of the Pacific. I am anxious to see how I will compare to other players around the country.

If you do not pursue a professional career in your sport what else would you like to do in life? I would like to pursue a career as a physical therapist in sports rehab. I feel that I need to be involved in sports in one way or another & with sports medicine I can help other athletes achieve their goals. I don’t think I can have a job where I am not around some type of sport.

In my own words: You never fully achieve your goals without the help of others. I would like to thank the following people: Todd & Dan Abdalla for believing in women’s soccer in Nevada, & for all the information & time they took preparing me for college at an early age. Amanda Schmutz for helping me take my game to a higher level & for her continued support. Jeff & Doreen Woodward for believing in me, even at the age of 3, & for helping me develop such a love for the game. And most of all, I’d like to thank my parents for all the knowledge they have instilled in me over the years, for committing themselves to make it to all of my games, and for all the encouragement they have shown towards me. If it weren’t for them, I could have never made it this far.