- 2022 Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Abigail Hoaglund. I am currently 17 years old and a Senior at Briarwood Christian High School in Birmingham, Alabama. I am enrolled in honors and AP classes and maintain A's and B’s. My last semester GPA was a 4.46. I was selected as a Duke Tip Scholar in 7th grade and had the opportunity to take the ACT as a 7th grader. While many of the concepts on the ACT had not been introduced to me at this age, it was a great experience for me to see how the ACT testing process works. As a sophomore I also volunteered to tutor 8th grade science. I was also elected by my peers to serve as a 10th grade Class Representative through the Student Government Association (SGA) and was elected to serve in this same role as a Junior and again as a Senior.
I have participated in several sports through my school, to include Junior High track and volleyball, however I have played soccer since the age of 4 and that has always been my top priority. The majority of my years in soccer have been with Briarwood Soccer Club. I have played on teams that are my age as well as playing up for several seasons with older teams. I strive to be a leader both on and off the field and as a result have been selected as team captain for several seasons as well. I have been coached to play all positions, however, generally I am a forward or a left midfielder. My club team has always at the Division 1 State Level and we have been ranked number 1 in the state for several seasons. For my Senior year I will be playing with AL- FC club on the 04/05 ECNL-RL team.
9th grade was the first year I was eligible to try out for my High School soccer team. While my school does have a JV soccer team, I was one of 18 girls selected to play on the Briarwood Christian School Varsity Girls Soccer Team. We compete in the AHSAA 6A championship bracket during the spring season. I was a starter as a Freshman on the Varsity Soccer Team and have remained one every season since. While our season was cut short due to the COVID 19 pandemic, I enjoyed being able to represent my school on the field for the first time in the Spring 2020. During the Fall 2020 season I started every match for my club team and scored a total of 22 goals for my team. (I scored a hat trick in 3 separate matches.) During Spring 2021 season we moved up to 6A and I started every match for my high school team during both my Sophomore and Junior years of High School as well. As a result of my play during my Junior season (Spring 2022) I received All-State, All-Metro Region and All County honors. Additionally, I was selected as one of 18 to represent North Alabama in the All Star Game where I contributed as both a forward and a midfielder to the North team’s 5-0 victory. I was selected to be a starter for the All-Star game as well.
I also became certified to referee soccer as soon as I turned 14 years old (January 2019). I think this is important because it gives me a different perspective on the game. It has also been very enjoyable to ref younger kids, especially at the U10 and U11 age ranges, because I can help them to better understand the game and serve as a mentor for them. I have found that frequently young players do not understand why I am blowing the whistle to stop play, so I have tried to explain to them each call that I make (for example, an incorrect throw in) and help them to correct it next time. Coaches and parents have thanked me repeatedly for helping their kids to better understand the game of soccer.
I volunteered to Coach a U8 soccer team with Briarwood Soccer Club for the first time during the Spring 2021 season and coached this same age group during the Spring 2022 season. I have enjoyed teaching 6 and 7 year olds of my love for soccer. During the summers of 2021 and 2022 I also volunteered to coach a Briarwood Soccer Club camp.
Although I am heavily involved in sports and schoolwork requires a lot of time as well, I think it is important to also participate in activities through my church. I am active in my church and enjoy participating in youth choir and Bible Drills. Additionally, we take mission trips where we try to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Sometimes our mission field is here at home. Other times we travel to reach people.
While I am involved in many things, soccer is definitely a love. I love to watch college and professional soccer. I hope to be able to play at the college level myself. I would love the opportunity to get to know coaches and players at various schools and also to be invited to some team camps.
