Julia Swenson Wilkes '21 Recruiting Profile

When I look ahead to my final years of high school, moving into my collegiate years, I view them as being a period of personal growth. I plan to use the knowledge I have attained and the skills I have acquired to propel me forward into my future. With the experiences I have had thus far in life, I know one of my main passions is to help others. That is why, while furthering my education, my goal is to explore a science major that will position me well for medical school. Having torn my ACL freshman year, I struggled through the recovery process. If it wasn’t for my deep love of soccer, in conjunction with the dedicated doctors, nurses and physical therapy staff, I would not be where I am today; fully recovered and thriving in my sport. That experience, in part, is the reason why I look forward to gaining further understanding and expertise within the medical field. I envision one day helping young athletes work hard to achieve their physical and personal goals both on and off the field, just as I have through my recovery process.

As for my love of soccer, it has been ingrained in me from a young age. Many of the positive qualities I possess, I acquired on the field. I have learned how to be a team player, how to respect my teammates and how to show leadership. I plan to be a dynamic competitor and positive influence on the team. As I grow both physically and mentally throughout my college soccer career, I will strive to be an asset to the team as a whole.  As a goalie, I make tough, split second decisions that carries the fate of the team and that requires bravery and courage. I consider bravery and courage to be two of my top strengths, allowing me to face each game with fearlessness and confidence. Off the field, this carries into my academics and extracurricular activities. I have not been afraid to step outside of my comfort zone and have enjoyed taking part in programs such as “Sacramento Challenge Sports” and “Loaves and Fishes”, in addition to multiple other service opportunities in my community. My academics and studies are also approached with pursuit in excellence and complete me off the field. I consider it a privilege to share the skills and lessons I have learned through soccer with others.

Overall, throughout my impending college years, I look forward to blending together my two passions: soccer and medicine. I know the academic opportunities ahead of me will be sure to challenge me mentally, whereas, my college soccer career will challenge me physically. My hope is that the two will continue to guide me in my future career pursuit.