Indiana University recruits Clark for D1 soccer

During their senior year, students desperately work to finish their college applications ensure a spot at their top choice schools. However, senior Kari Clark shares none of those worries. On Aug. 1, Clark received the offer to play NCAA Division 1 soccer at Indiana University. Two days later, she accepted and her college search process officially ended.

Clark has been playing soccer since she was 5 and has been passionate ever since. She plays center midfield and defense.

“I have practiced with my club team three days a week with games on the weekend for as long as I can remember,” Clark said.

Missing social events and choosing soccer over all other sports have been necessary sacrifices.

“Along with not being able to go out with my friends all the time,” Clark said.” I also had to quit field hockey because it overlapped with soccer too much.”

Over the course of junior year, Clark sent a multitude of emails to prospective colleges, requesting for representatives to attend games and watch her play. There were so many options that she was not sure where her top choice was.

“My club coach and my high school coach knew one of the assistant coaches at IU, and they encouraged me to consider it,” Clark said.

After speaking to IU assistant coach Orlando Cervantes, Clark decided to attend IU’s soccer camp last June. Cervantes showed her a tour of the campus before the camp began.

“After I learned more about the school and visited the campus, I fell in love,” Clark said. “It immediately became my No. 1 choice. Even though there were other schools interested, IU was the only school to officially offer me a spot on their team.”

IU is in the top 100 Division 1 schools in the country, according to Clark. Her parents, friends and coaches are all excited to see her play on the IU team.

“I’m proud of all her hard work,” her mother Kathy Clark said. “I’m really excited to see her play in college.”

Representatives from Indiana University have not yet attended any of her games or practices, but Clark anticipates they will come watch her sometime this year.

“All this next year I’m going to have to practice ten times harder to get prepared. My goal is to start for them,” Clark said. “I’m really nervous to play Division 1 soccer but I’m sure it will be fun.”