Malia Vinson '20 Recruiting Profile

I started playing soccer at seven years old when I lived in San Antonio, Texas. It was in Georgia that I realized soccer was the sport for me. Soccer was competitive, physical, and it gave me something that I could not learn in a classroom. Moving to Washington taught me to adapt; I went from playing in extreme heat and humidity to playing in the harsh cold and rain. I learned how important teamwork and player communication is to me. Communication and a willingness to accept others is what really makes a great player, on any team. Being raised as military kid has taught me resiliency and how to put in the work needed to get anything done.

I’m planning to graduate high school with my Associates Degree from South Puget Sound Community College. I’d like to earn a Bachelors in Kinesiology. I want to help athletes reach their full potential and I am considering joining the fields of education, physical therapy, or sports medicine. Playing soccer has inspired my interest in how the human body moves and functions. Being involved in high school soccer has also encouraged me to become a leader for other aspiring athletes. I’ve learned that being a leader is less about being commanding on the field, it’s more about how you encourage people to work together.