Sara Small will play soccer and run track for Wake Forest

Sara Small has been dreaming of playing soccer at the Division 1 level since she was a little girl, and that dream has finally become reality. Small officially signed to play soccer and also run track for the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest (WF) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Small received a letter from Wake Forest last fall at the start of her junior year, and was asked to come to Wake Forest and run track. Sara looked into it and filled out the athletic application form but pursued her dream of playing soccer.

Nik Goertzen, her Outlaws soccer coach at the time, helped her put together a video, along with a letter of recommendation, and sent it to the soccer coach at WF. To Small's dismay, she didn't hear back.

At the beginning of the 2011/2012 soccer season, Goertzen made contact with WF goalkeeper coach, Megan Jessie. Jessie responded and asked to see actual game film and a specialized workout session where they would be able to see Small's strength and skills.

"Sara said, "I didn't hear back from them, so I thought they must not have liked what they saw so, I just focused on Outlaws soccer for three months."

Just a day or two after the Outlaws championship playoff game Small received an email from Jessie.

Small said, "They told me they liked what they saw and they wanted to see me actually play. Since I don't play club ball I asked them if they could come and watch me at the OSU winter college soccer ID camp in January. They said they would be able to do that."

Sara went to the camp, but didn't see or hear from anyone affiliated with Wake Forest.

"I was a little nervous at that point," stated Small. "I didn't have all my eggs in one basket but I didn't want to play anywhere else. My heart was with Wake Forest."

A day later Small received an email asking her to fly out for an official visit.

Sara, along with mom Lori, made the trip back east February 16-18. Small met with Head Coach Tony DeLuz and spend an entire day with DeLuz and keeper coach, Jessie. Sara was able to watch the soccer team circuit train and scrimmage.

"The coach was pretty laid back, since it was the off-season," said Small. "The team looked like they were having a lot of fun and they were joking around. And, they were really good. I just took it all in."

Small told The Nugget how everything fell into place in a most unusual way.

"The soccer coaches at Wake Forest got together with the track coaches, because when I was on the official visit the track coaches talked to me, too," said Small. "The soccer coaches told me that maybe I could qualify for a track scholarship since I jump decent." (Sara's PR pole vault is 11 feet 8 inches - higher than Wake Forest's current vaulter.)

"It turned out that someone on the track team just dropped out and they just happened to be on a full ride," added Small. "They offered the scholarship to me and told me I'd run track but also be able to play soccer. I just thought to myself, 'Sweet!' That's awesome."

Small accepted their offer the following day and on Wednesday, May 2, had an official signing in the Sisters High School gym, surrounded by her family and friends.

Small leaves the Outlaws with numerous accomplishments in both soccer and track.

A few of Small's many achievements in track include: SHS record pole vault of 11 feet 8 inches; four-time pole vault Sky-Em league champion and four-time Sky-Em first-team all-league selection, 4A 2011 girls' pole vault state champion, two-time 4A girls' track first-team all-state selection.

In soccer, Sara is a three-time first-team Sky-Em Conference player at keeper, two-time Sky-Em MVP (most valuable player), two-time first-team all-state keeper and three-time Sky-Em keeper of the year.

Goertzen said, "As Sara's soccer coach and track coach, I am so very proud to have been a part of this process with her. The fact she received a full-ride scholarship to a prestigious university speaks volumes to the type of character and athlete Sara has become. Sara has the heart of a true champion, a tireless work ethic, and has made so many countless sacrifices in her free time to get this opportunity. She is one-of-a-kind and the toughest girl I have ever coached. She has no fear and is a risk-taker on the playing field and runway. I wish her nothing but the best."

Small will start practice as a Demon Deacon on August 3.

"It definitely is going to be a culture shock, but I'm excited to get out of the bubble of Sisters," said Small. "I'm going to be busy with school and two sports but it's what I want. I want to compete at a high level and soccer and track are my favorite sports."