HENRY MILLER | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
MISSION — Sharyland High School’s Kaitie Watson had a big decision to make. She was about 5 years old and had to decide whether to join dance, or play soccer. Maybe it was the name of her first team — the Lady Bugs — that convinced her.
“I think that was it,” she said.
A lot of people believe she made the right choice. Watson, a senior at Sharyland High School and the daughter of Dawn and Sean Watson, signed her soccer national letter of intent to play for Division I University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Thursday in front of more than 150 friends, teammates, family members, coaches, media and more at Sharyland High.
“It kind of has just hit me,” said Watson, a midfielder who has scored 123 goals so far in her career. “I couldn’t be more thankful. I’m so blessed. This is the place I want to be.”
Her scholarship includes four-year tuition academically plus an athletics scholarship that, in total, will bring her beyond the amount of a full ride.
When Watson was a freshman, her then-coach Aaron Clemons nicknamed her the Firecracker for her bright red hair and “little sparks of greatness.”
By the end of her freshman year, the Firecracker had turned into dynamite, scoring 36 goals, being named Newcomer of the Year in District 31-5A and leading her team to the regional tournament. Before the next year began, however, Watson began working on Clemons to move her to midfield.
“There was a senior in that position who graduated, and we had more forwards on the team,” Watson said. “I figured I could help the team out more and give attackers more opportunities that way. I thought it was the best thing for the team. Plus, it has been the position I had played most of my life.”
All she did that year, after winning over her coach, was score 30 goals and add 22 assists, leading the Rattlers to the fourth round of the state playoffs.
Watson was named District 31-5A Offensive MVP and All-Area MVP. As a junior, she was a first-team all-district and an all-district academic team selection.
“She can see the field. I don’t know how she does it, but she can visualize and anticipate where the ball should go, and she thought she could better serve the team there,” Dawn Watson said. “Most everything offensively came through her.”
Kaitie Watson got her start in soccer when her brother took up the sport. She was 2 at the time, but she would put on his uniform, go find a soccer ball and become “the center of attention,” according to her mom.
Mario Ribera took over the coaching position this year for the Rattlers but knew Watson since she was about 4 years old playing in the McAllen Youth Sports Soccer Association (MYSSA). He said taking over the reins knowing she was on the team made the transition much easier.
“This is truly a special moment for a special person,” Ribera said. “Anytime someone is continuing their higher education both academically and athletically is a very special moment. There has been no doubt since she was a little girl that she was going to be successful and will continue to be successful.”
UTRGV invited her to make an official visit, and before the trip was over, she was convinced that it was the right place for her.
“The girls and I meshed so well,” she said. “It felt like home. Well, it is home, but this is the place I want to be. I love it so much.”