Berkshire senior Julia Frank began looking at college soccer programs two years ago during her sophomore season.
Last week, Frank announced she had committed to continue her education and playing career at Hiram College.
“I am extremely excited to lock my college choice so early into my senior year,” Frank said. “Hiram has everything I am looking for me to reach my goals.”
Frank was looking for a school that provided her with the best option to continue playing the sport she loves while she also earns her college degree.
In her search, Frank focused on small schools which were closer to home.
“I’m not quite sure what my career path will be, but at this point, I want to go into the field of biology,” Frank said. “Hiram has many different areas of biology that I can go into. I value their policy that family and academics come before sports. I will be getting an education and playing four more years of the sport I love.”
Frank’s interest in Hiram began two summers ago when she attended a soccer camp at the school.
“I have gone to a couple of other camps since then at Hiram,” she said. “It was always a positive environment and I was comfortable there. Some of the girls from the Hiram soccer team were there and I had a nice connection with them. I like coach (Michael) Caracas’s coaching style and philosophy.”
The Terriers recruited Frank to play forward.
“I believe that I will fit in that slot well because I have played that position since I started playing soccer,” Frank said. “I know that college will be at a much faster speed on the field but I plan to keep training after the high school season is over.”
As a junior, Frank finished second on the team with 17 goals and 15 assists. She’ll join former Badger Catherine Lillibridge at Hiram. Lillibridge will be a freshman goalkeeper at the school this fall.
After helping to lead the Badgers to a school-record 18 wins and a district title last fall, Frank enters her senior season with lofty goals, both for herself and the team.
“I have a lot of team goals for this season,” Frank said. “These goals include working together so we can grow as a team, winning the (Chagrin Valley Conference) and going farther in the playoffs than we did last year is our team goal. To accomplish these goals, we work hard in practice, which includes running, core, and footwork. I also do training on my own with my sister. I always write out my personal goals for myself before the high school season and I don’t share them with anyone. I have already achieved one of my goals for this season.”
Berkshire is off to a 3-0 start this season. The Badgers have won 21 of their last 22 games.
