- 2017 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
My name is Elizabeth Ankrom, but everyone calls me Abby. I will graduate in 2018 from Boardman High School. I was adopted from Guatemala as an infant, and raised by my single Mom along with my older brother, Alex, who is from Russia. I began playing Soccer when I was 8 and immediately fell in love with the Sport. I enjoy the constant action and teamwork involved. I like to be early for practices and games and I rarely miss. I was taught to practice like you play a game so save the goofiness for off the field, which is a motto I live by. I have 2 years of ODP experience and made the Ohio State Team as a Defender and Goalie, then attended regional camp in Indiana. I am a Defender and mostly play as an Outside Back and Defensive Midfielder, but I believe I might be playing Center Back this season. My first club team was TC United, coached by Neil Fowler. Thanks to his training, my passes are very accurate and get to the intended player. My High School team did not have the best year in 2016 with multiple injuries, including my own; a severely-sprained ankle. I was forced to support my team from the bench in the playoffs while my team won the first game during overtime. This inability to play motivated me to come back stronger than ever once my ankle healed. I play with the Rockers club team and this Spring we participated in tournaments and games all over Ohio and Pennsylvania, including Bowling Green, Cleveland State, Edinboro, and Westminster. To improve myself and my performance, I took out a gym membership and began getting up at 5:30 am before school every day so I could increase my fitness, speed, and strength. I want to attend a midsize College that has an excellent Psychology curriculum and a Soccer program where I can continue playing while I study. I would like to be part of a team and a College where I can make lifelong friendships. Financial assistance is going to be very important to me in the College selection process as my family will have high need. Although I would prefer attending a College within a few hours of my home in Ohio, I would be willing to travel farther to a school with less out of pocket expense as long as they have an outstanding Psychology program. Ideally, I would like to be at a program where I would make a significant contribution early in my career, and where I can find a balance between Soccer and my education.
