Kicking it: Cate Gusick

Future Uprising//Growing through every game, practice, and challenge, soccer became more than just a sport; it became a part of who Cate Gusick is. Now heading off to college, ready to take on everything she’s learned, she is on her way to keep chasing bigger goals. (Photo Courtesy of Cate Gusick)

Many people take years to find the thing that brings them joy or something they want to dedicate themselves to doing. For graduating senior Cate Gusick, this was no challenge at all, and in fact, she found it in a sport: soccer. Getting a scholarship to the University of Montana for soccer was a huge achievement for her. Gusick’s relationship with soccer was established from an early age. 

For Gusick, soccer wasn’t always the plan, but once she found it, everything changed. What started as just another sport to try for fun turned into something she loved and wanted to keep pursuing.

“I first started playing soccer when I was nine,” Gusick said. “I tried so many other sports, and my parents were like, we haven’t tried soccer yet. I never turned back, and I’m so grateful I didn’t.”

Since that early age, soccer has been a huge part of her life, and has taught her lessons that she would take both on and off  the field. However, getting to where she is now definitely didn’t come easy. She’s had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way to keep chasing her goals.

“I made a lot of sacrifices through the years,” Gusick said. “I gave up a whole year of friends and being with my family to play soccer in California. It taught me a lot about what I could do, and I’m grateful I did it, but it took a lot of time away from my life.”

Even though it was hard, that experience helped her grow and showed her how dedicated she really is to the sport. It pushed her outside of her comfort zone and helped her realize what she’s capable of. As becoming a senior the topic of college was more present. Like most athletes trying to play in college, the recruiting process wasn’t easy either. It was stressful and full of big decisions, but she had people through that process to support her the entire time.

“My recruiting process was definitely very stressful, as almost everyone’s is,” Gusick said. “My biggest supporters were definitely my family. My parents told me, ‘It’s your decision,’ but in the end, they always helped me because it is such a big choice.”

Besides her family, her team has also played a big role in her journey. Being part of a team taught her more than just how to play the game; it taught her how important it is to be there for others and work with one another. 

“My team has taught me that having true teammates who appreciate and want you to be there is so important,” Gusick said. “They taught me we are all doing this for something, and we all will work as a team to get there together. They showed me how to be supportive and be there for each other.”

All of these experiences have helped shape her into the player and person she is today. As she looks ahead, she’s focused on continuing her soccer career while also enjoying life and everything that comes with it.

“In a few years, I hope to [still] be playing college soccer, graduating, and living my life, enjoying every moment and being grateful for everything,” Gusick said. “I don’t want to regret any of the things I had to give up to get there.”

As she leaves her mark here at Coronado, her journey shows how much hard work and dedication it takes to reach the next level. With everything she’s been through and what she’s learned, from soccer, from her friends, and from her family, there is no doubt that she is ready for what is next in her exciting future