Madison Watson '20 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Madison Watson, I am a junior at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. 

Growing up in a sports-oriented family, my parents started both my brother and myself in a variety of sports at very young ages.  My love for soccer began when I was 4 years old.  I started playing recreational league soccer at Central Georgia Soccer Association when I was 4, and by the time I was 6, I was playing up a year level which is when I started with CGSA's Academy league.  I continued to play a year up throughout my Academy league career; playing up in age group gave me the opportunity to play with more experienced, higher skill leveled players.  CGSA and Macon Soccer merged their Select programs when I was transitioning to the Select league level, therefore at this time I went back to appropriate age group due to the quality of level of play that I was able to play with at my own age bracket.    At the end of my Select league career, I was again transitioned to play a year level up due to team size and division brackets.   During my childhood years, I played recreational basketball, but the commitment needed for the level of soccer I was playing made me choose between the two sports.  Through the past 13 years, soccer has become a normal, everyday part of my life.

Because I have grown up playing with higher level, competitive teams, along with playing through my school system, I understand the commitment level involved with the sport.  I have been given the opportunity to work with multiple high level coaches and trainers who have all coached through different methods which has taught me how to be flexible and open-minded to new methods and coaching styles.  I consider myself a midfielder, but I have been coached, and I have played competitively, from defensive midfield to outside wing to forward, including being used as a "utility player"; this has allowed me to learn to adequately play all positions on the top half of the field.  I have been given the opportunity to be the youngest player on the field to the oldest player on the field, which has taught me a lot about diversification, along with the importance of being a team player.  I have been raised to believe in having a high work ethic, giving 100% at both practice and during games; I understand the importance of being a team player and supporting my teammates.  I have received many personal awards, including 6AAAAAA all-region my freshman and sophomore years, but the titles of MVP and Coaches Award that I have received in my past years hold more importance to me because they speak a higher volume of my character on the field, at practices, and amongst my teammates and coaches.  Although soccer is a way of life for me, I also understand the importance of my education;  I have been able to maintain a 3.886 GPA in high school while playing both club soccer and school soccer.

When I think about my college plans and goals, even though I do not see my life without playing soccer in college, I do know the most important aspect is finding a college which fits me academically; I plan to major in sports medicine.  I also know the importance of finding the right "coach" versus the right "school" where the soccer program is concerned.  Through my soccer career, I have found I perform best under coaches who push me harder to work and perform better on the field.  I appreciate constructive criticism, and I have a desire to always try to improve my skills.  I would like to be part of a structed team environment.  I feel like my soccer team will be my family away from home when I am attending college.  Winning is always nice, but I have a desire to play with others who give their all on the field and invest 100% in each practice and game.   Other factors such as school location and school size are important to me, but the desire to find a school with my major of study, a coach that will push me to become a better player, along with a dedicated team are my main points of focus when choosing the best "fit" for myself.