Introducing U: Natalie White
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – One of six Sunshine State natives on the University of Miami soccer team, Natalie White is the lone freshman among the group.
An Allen D. Nease High School graduate, the 5-foot-6-inch defender from St. Augustine, Fla., spoke with HurricaneSports.com about what she is looking forward to as a collegian, why she picked The U and more . . .
Q: To begin, you have been at Miami for about a month now. How has it been so far?
A: I love it. My teammates and I are getting along. The seniors are really good about engaging us in all the activities. The practices have been really good. So, I’m just adjusting.
Q: What would you say is the biggest thing you have had to adjust to?
A: I guess the 5 a.m., workouts, but honestly it hasn’t been that bad. It’s been harder to wake up for the 8 a.m., ones because we got so used to 5 a.m. It’s great, I’ve gotten in a lot better shape just being here. The girls are really helpful. I love all the girls.
Q: What has been your favorite part through the first month?
A: Probably just going and playing pickup because it’s nice seeing how they play, how you play together with them and how their style of play works. So, that’s fun.
Q: What do you feel are your main strengths as a player?
A: My speed and probably just my physicality.
Q: What areas do you think you need to improve on the most?
A: Maybe just my technicality a little bit more when it comes to quick moves. Maybe fitness a little bit more, but I think I’m pretty good with that right now.
Q: Are there any pros who you look up to and try to emulate or whom you just enjoy watching?
A: Well, my favorite player—she doesn’t play anymore—was Heather Mitts because I went to went to a bunch of her camps and I just always looked up to her because she played my position. I don’t really have any pros that I look up that much, it’s just always been her and my friend, Jocelyn Blankenship, who got me started playing soccer. She went to Loyola Marymount and she played for the Orlando Pride. I’ve looked up to her, too.
Q: Have you decided what you want to major in and, if so, how did you make that decision?
A: I want to do exercise physiology . . . It deals a lot with athletes and I wanted to do that.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your college career?
A: Honestly, just the atmosphere of the games, just getting to play at the collegiate level with good players, traveling and hopefully making it to the NCAA tournament. That would be awesome. Getting a good education, Miami is great for that.
Q: What do you think it will be like the first time you take the field for a game?
A: Definitely nerve-wracking, but a really incredible experience because all your life, at least for me, I’ve wanted to play at a college. So, that will definitely be exciting.
Q: When you think back on it, what made you decide UM was the school for you?
A: Well, I fell in love with the campus. My sister actually came and toured a few years ago before she went to college and I fell in love with it when she came. Then I met the coaches and they were really easy to get along with and I liked the style of play. So, I guess just the coaches and the area. My uncle lived down here, so I knew the area really well.
To keep up with the University of Miami soccer team on social media, follow @CanesFutbol on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
