Off The Pitch: Katelyn Watson
June 28, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – During the summer, HailState.com will interview select Mississippi State soccer players in an effort to learn more about their lives on and off the pitch. New Albany native Katelyn Watson is next on our list as we sit down with the rising junior.
For more information on Watson or any of the Bulldog soccer team, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at "HailStateSOC."
Katelyn Watson Q&A
Q: Why did you choose to come to Mississippi State?
A: "My entire family has gone to MSU, so growing up I kind of wanted to be different and go somewhere else but my father convinced me to give it a shot. I came to MSU for a camp and just fell in love with the university. I loved the environment here and when I visited everyone was so polite."
Q: Why did you resist MSU at first?
A: "Growing up I wanted to move as far away as I could from my family and do my own thing. Now I have matured and my priorities have changed. I want to be around for my family to help out and repay them for all that they've done for me. I am glad I chose to stay in Mississippi because they live right down the road and they can come watch my games or visit anytime they want."
Q: What made you decide to major in special education?
A: "I wanted to be an accountant for most of my high school career, but my senior year I got involved with working with special needs children and fell in love with it. So I switched my career path to working in that field, because I knew my heart would be in it."
Q: What are some things you like to do away from soccer?
A: "Honestly outside of soccer I am still hanging out with my teammates, we chill or go grab something to eat and just hang out. They are some of my closest friends; everybody is different and has all sorts of different point of views on life."
Q: Who is the loudest person on the team?
A: "Khalyn Harmon and Kennadi Carbin, definitely those two. Every time we have music playing before a game they are the first ones to start pumping everyone up. They're crazy."
Q: How competitive are practices here?
A: "They're very competitive. We'll have mini competitions in practice or the coaches will check our heart rate monitors to see who is working the hardest, just all the little things. It's tough to decide who is going to start because everyone tries so hard, but it's the small things that you do right in practice that sets people apart."
Q: You were sidelined with an injury in your first season, how did you bounce back mentally?
A: "I had a concussion my freshman season and missed some time. So, when I could finally come back it was hard because everyone was so far ahead of me in their conditioning and training. It was tough, but I stuck to the mindset of always being positive and happy. I was going to be happy for myself and happy for the person playing in front of me, because we are a team."
Q: If you could go back to your freshman season, what advice would you give yourself?
A: "I did not know what to expect coming into my freshman year. The speed of play is way faster; it's way more aggressive. It really is a big jump from high school. I would also tell myself to do all my conditioning in the packet before coming back from break, because if you don't you'll die. Do your fitness."
Q: Did Leonardo DiCaprio deserve his Oscar win for the "Revenant"?
A: "I was holding on to my seat and closing my eyes because that movie was so intense. I was so happy for him to win finally. I stayed up late that night to see if he had won even though I had an early workout the next morning. I've always loved Leo. I thought he should've won an award for the Titanic."
Q: Could Jack have fit on that floating door with Rose?
A: "Yes there was! Gosh there was so much more room for him."
Quick Hitters
Three adjectives to describe her: Crazy, country and not modest
Favorite team to face: Ole Miss
Favorite thing about soccer: Teammates
Favorite thing to bring on a road trip: Blanket and headphones
Favorite TV show: Parks & Rec
Hobby outside of soccer: Jewelry making
Best moment of playing career: Winning state championship in high school
Biggest fear: The beep test
