Callie Kositzke, Bay Port soccer
Parents Names: Terra Arendt and Adam Kositzke
Social Media Accounts: Instagram @calliekos_
Position: Forward
Personal highlights from the season: Scoring against No. 1 Kimberly in the regional final game to send us to overtime and later win the game and scoring two goals against No. 2 De Pere in the sectional semi-final game.
How and when did you get started playing soccer? I started playing soccer the summer before I turned five in the local rec league. As I remember it, the first goal was all it took for me to keep coming back every year.
What is your favorite/least favorite part of the sport? My favorite part of soccer is the opportunity it brings. Not only does it encourage athletic achievement, but the biggest impact it leaves players with is a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
What is the most challenging part of soccer to you? The most challenging aspect of soccer is the humility that it brings. Whether it be to an individual player or an entire team, responding to adversity can be challenging, but necessary.
Have you ever had to overcome adversity in your sport? My junior year of high school ball, I suffered a prolonged calf injury that kept me out of the game for the entire season. It caused both a physical and mental slump for me, and discouraged me from the idea of continuing to play at first.
Have you ever had a coach that made a significant impact on your experience as an athlete? The most impactful coach I ever had was from the Olympic Development Program, Coach Rob Williams. He helped me to realize the value in my own personal strengths as a soccer player, and encouraged me to utilize them more consistently. He understood me as both an athlete and a person. Coach Brooke Mraz and Coach Michael Bootz have also made my high school soccer career at Bay Port a positive place for me to grow, both as a player and a leader.
What is the best advice a coach has given you? The best advice a coach has ever given me is to remember that nothing is ever as good or as bad as it may seem; to keep perspective.
Is there a professional player that you admire? I admire French soccer player Antoine Griezmann. He uses his speed and tactical awareness to facilitate central attack beautifully.
What is one thing that soccer has taught you that you wouldn’t be able to learn from anywhere else? One thing soccer has taught me is that heart and will often supersede talent. I wouldn’t have believed that, if it weren’t for soccer.
Is there a specific high school game that you played in that stands out from the past four years? The game that sticks out in my mind more than others is this year’s sectional semi-final against De Pere. I had just scored two goals to bring us to a 2-1 lead, but we quickly gave up three goals to put us back down 2-4. We have had many lapses in play this season, but our team regained control and we put two goals away in the last eight minutes of the game to send us to overtime, which later gave us just enough to win in a penalty shootout. I admire the tactfulness of our team, and it makes me hopeful for the upcoming State tournament.
How do you work to prepare for a big game, both mentally and physically? Before a big game, I make sure to drink electrolytes and listen to songs that will pump me up. I also like to visualize certain aspects of the game in my head. It helps me to formulate a loose game plan of how I want to play based on the opponent.
What would be your go-to post-game celebration meal? My go-to celebration meal would be the Godzilla roll and the House roll from Island Sushi in De Pere, followed by butter pecan ice cream from Brain Freeze.
Favorite book or movie? My favorite book is Play it as it Lays by Joan Didion.
How do you spend your free time? I spend my free time by spending time with friends and family, going on a walk or working out, or listening to music.
What are your plans after high school (college and career)? I will be attending UW-Madison in the fall to major in either Journalism or Life Science Communications.
Have you ever found it difficult to balance academics and athletics? At times, balancing school and soccer was difficult. However, having a strong support system in both realms made all the difference.
Are you looking forward to anything this summer? For the summer, I am looking forward to enjoying warm weather and spending time with friends and family.