Rebecca Schulenburg '24 Recruiting Profile

 Ever since I was little I have loved the game. Yet it was not until a COVID until I have thought about playing in college. I play soccer through every season, so when everything came to a sudden halt, I went pretty stir crazy. I had a thirst to get out there and play. I would juggle my ball everyday and do different workouts to better myself as a player. I got a lot better at juggling just with consistency, and I saw myself improving every day. There were days where I felt like I played terribly, but that pushed me to work harder. The absence of practices definitely changed my perspective on many things and helped me appreciate the little things a lot more in life. COVID sparked my passion that has increasingly grown since then. I kept making new goals for myself - to make it on select was my first goal. I trained on my endurance and stamina and footwork and so for when I had the chance to tryout I wouldn't blow my chances. I made the team, which has honestly been the greatest thing that happened to me. Our select team changed quite a lot that summer, but the bond we share is so special.

 But even though I made the team, I never stopped working. I then got asked to play in nationals and internationals. I was so overjoyed seeing as though my hard work has not been for nothing. Internationals did not work out for unnamed reasons, but I still thank God for all the opportunities He has allowed me to have.  I still have my off days of course, days I feel like I am back to ground zero. Honestly, one of my biggest fears is letting down my coaches who believe in me and trust me. But that is the drive I have to never stop working as hard as I can.  I am still striving to get better at soccer every single day. I am never satisfied with any current skill level which pushes me even more to reach my absolute peak. But for me, there is no "peak" ... only unlimited possibilities my hard work and dedication could get me, and with God's will of course. That is the trait that sets me apart from others. There is always going to be someone better than you, but you control how hard you work, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals. 

My passion for soccer goes so deep to the point where I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach when I cannot practice or exercise one day. It is such a huge part of my life that even on vacations, I am itching to play and get better and I feel horrible if I can't since it is an opportunity someone else is working harder than me. Working towards my goals have never been easy, I'm gonna be honest...I am sore 90% of the time. There are days when I don't want to get out of bed or up from the couch. But what I want for myself in the future is bigger than "not feeling like it," so I get out there and just do it. Yet I don't do it for myself, I do it for the glory of God. He has given me the ability to play soccer as well as the dedication and perseverance, so I do it for Him.