Interview with Elon Women's Soccer Taylor Paradoski and Katelyn Fowler
Did you play travel in high school? How was your experience playing travel? Did you ever feel burned out?
Taylor: Every game you always had college coaches sitting on the sidelines and watching, and you were always trying to get recruited. I really enjoyed playing travel, although when you are older and trying to be recruited by a college it is much more intense and stressful than when you are younger and simply traveling the country with your friends. I don’t think I’ve ever felt true burnout, although some parts of a season in college can be harder than others where you are swamped with homework, studying, practices, etc., and it can stress you out a lot.
Kate: I played travel up to 10th grade. I was on the Olympic Development team as well as my normal travel team. I would have to drive 5 hours to practice twice a week and three times a week I traveled a half hour to practice. As a goalkeeper I felt a lot of pressure to do well. I didn't feel burnt out because it was all I knew. I would go to school and then soccer. I did not know what it was like to have a social life.
Kate: I played travel up to 10th grade. I was on the Olympic Development team as well as my normal travel team. I would have to drive 5 hours to practice twice a week and three times a week I traveled a half hour to practice. As a goalkeeper I felt a lot of pressure to do well. I didn't feel burnt out because it was all I knew. I would go to school and then soccer. I did not know what it was like to have a social life.
Have you ever had an injury due to soccer? What was the effect of the injury, both physically and mentally, both on you and your team? How long did recovery take?
Taylor: I have had many injuries due to soccer, and they truly do have many effects on both you and the team. You are always wondering if you will be able to come back and play the same way you did before injury, you are worried about keeping your fitness in check while off, physical therapy can be physically trying. For the team, it can also be stressful, especially if you are a key player in the line-up or pays that they rely on. My longest recovery time was for a torn meniscus in my knee, and I was out for ~6 months due to ongoing pain – I wasn’t able to plant and cut, or pass and shoot without pain, which are four very important things in soccer.
Kate: I have had several injuries. My first was a broken tailbone. I played through it but physically I still cannot sit on hard surfaces for long because of the injury. Then I had a concussion. That was difficult mentally because I did not understand why I could not play. My concussion messed with my mental state a lot more than physically. I then injured my knee my senior year here at Elon. I was on crutches for 8 weeks and then could not run for 6 months. I missed my whole senior year and that was tough mentally. I did not know who I was without playing soccer. I am now getting back into shape from that injury.
Kate: I have had several injuries. My first was a broken tailbone. I played through it but physically I still cannot sit on hard surfaces for long because of the injury. Then I had a concussion. That was difficult mentally because I did not understand why I could not play. My concussion messed with my mental state a lot more than physically. I then injured my knee my senior year here at Elon. I was on crutches for 8 weeks and then could not run for 6 months. I missed my whole senior year and that was tough mentally. I did not know who I was without playing soccer. I am now getting back into shape from that injury.
How do you feel about a play about a high school women's soccer team? Will you go see it?
Taylor: I would totally go see it! First of all, I think it is so cool what you guys are able to do, and that’s a whole other talent I 100% do not have. I also think it’s very important to continue to show women playing sports and being strong athletes, especially for younger girls to see.
Kate: I think it is great to have a play about high school soccer and yes, I will go see it!
Kate: I think it is great to have a play about high school soccer and yes, I will go see it!
Growing up, did you have any female athlete role models? Do you still look up to them today?
Taylor: Growing up my role model was of course Alex Morgan (especially since I am a forward). She was what many young soccer players looked up to as a player and a person, scoring so many goals for the women’s national team.
Kate: I don't have a specific female athlete who is my role model. As a child I would have said Mia Hamm. She was amazing to me, she played all over the field and really put it all out there. I wanted to be like her and was proud to play soccer like her.
Kate: I don't have a specific female athlete who is my role model. As a child I would have said Mia Hamm. She was amazing to me, she played all over the field and really put it all out there. I wanted to be like her and was proud to play soccer like her.