By Hayden Swope
Mulvane’s Jade Smallwood was a first team all-league and second team all-state athlete last season for the Wildcats. After only three games this year, she has four goals and five assists.
“I’ve played soccer for 14 years and I absolutely love the sport,” Smallwood said. “I play for FC Wichita, and being part of the team has really shaped my experience. I enjoy the time with my teammates and the thrill of competition. Soccer has taught me so much about discipline and teamwork, and it’s a great way to stay active and have fun. Every game is an opportunity to improve and challenge myself.”
Smallwood has been finding new goals and ways to better herself and her team, and is hoping to accomplish those throughout the season.
“Some goals that I am focused on this season are to find new ways to create opportunities to score,” Smallwood said. “Whether that is giving better through balls or more combinations plays to set a better play up for the forwards. I would love to break my school’s assist record of four in a game by the end of the season,”
After high school, Smallwood plans to continue both her academic and athletic journeys at the next level.
“I will be attending Johnson County Community College, to earn my bachelor’s degree and continue playing soccer,” Smallwood said. “I will be majoring in pre-physical therapy. I then plan to go to KU med and finish up my schooling there to become a pediatric physical therapist.”
