Simpson heads to Hobbs
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Kylie Garcia. - CC Pictured from left to right; Jeffrey Simpson, Kristina Simpson, Janice Simpson, and Wyatt Simpson, all gathered to witness Kristina signing to play college soccer with the University of the Southwest.
GRANTS, N.M. - Kristina Simpson, a Grants High School senior, signed with the University of the Southwest to play college soccer. The 17-year-old was front and center for the signing ceremony that was held last Thursday. The February 25 event took place at the main GHS football field bleachers. Simpson’s immediate family along with the current GHS soccer team and coach were all present.
Simpson has been playing the sport since she was four years old, so for a total of 13 years. Fellow teammates and coaches nicknamed her “Speedy Gonzales” during her years with the American Youth Soccer Organization because of her incomparable speed when running down the field. More recently, her positions have included defensive backline and goalkeeper, with goalkeeper as her main position.
The recruitment process was “intense” and consisted of many Facetime calls and campus visits with various programs, according to Simpson,
The high school senior chose
“USW [University of the Southwest] because it felt right and has a great program” after much consideration and numerous conversations with her family.
Simpson mentioned that USW, a private Christian university in Hobbs, New Mexico, is a great college for athletes and is conducive to personal, one-on-one learning because of the small class sizes.
It was not until her junior year that Simpson realized that she wanted to play soccer at the next level, and the rest was history. When asked how it felt to receive an athletic scholarship for soccer and have this opportunity, Simpson said, “It feels pretty great to sign with them and to be signing to play soccer!”
As for her education and a possible future career, Simpson plans on majoring in kinesiology and possibly becoming either an athletic trainer or a coach.
Simpson said she is excited about her future and ready to become a USW Mustang.