This series is brought to you by United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
Sometimes, I think back to little Cailey, three years old, running around with a soccer ball bigger than her dreams, with nothing but raw excitement and boundless energy.
She had no idea how far this love for the game would take her.
But I do now.
When I stepped onto the campus of the University of Oklahoma, I had big aspirations — I wanted to be an all-conference, all-region player.
I wanted to leave a legacy on OU’s soccer program, help my team win, and push the boundaries of what we could achieve together.
I knew the journey would be tough.
Hardships would come from all angles — on the field, in the classroom, and even from within.
There would be pressure, moments of doubt, and so many opportunities to take the easy way out.
But I never wavered.
I committed to chasing my potential with everything I had.
And now, as I sit here today, I can look back at little Cailey and say, we did it.
We gave everything we had.
We laid it all on the line.
And every challenge, every sacrifice — it was worth it.
We grew, we conquered, and we’ve become so much more than I ever imagined.
A huge part of my journey has been about loyalty to the University of Oklahoma.
Through adversity, coaching changes, and the rise of the transfer portal, I stayed.
I believed in this program and in myself, and now, I’m proud to leave behind a legacy for all the little girls coming after me — little girls just like little me, with big dreams and even bigger hearts.
Choosing OU
I grew up in Austin, Texas, so I never really thought about going to OU. I wasn’t a diehard Texas fan per se, but I wasn’t one of those people who would just follow whatever sports team was in Texas, either.
I was a pretty open book when it came to the recruiting process, and my parents always encouraged me to keep an open mind and consider all of my options.
As I started getting into the college recruiting scene, one of the most important factors for me was academics.
I’ve always known that I wanted to go to medical school, and OU has a great pre-med program.
In fact, one of the main reasons I chose OU was because of the academic support they offer to student-athletes.
I loved the idea of being a part of the Honors College and the opportunities that would be available to me as an ambitious student.
When I visited OU, I absolutely fell in love. I loved the campus and how close-knit the community was.
I also loved OU’s reputation for athletic excellence. I felt like OU was the perfect combination of everything I wanted in a college experience.
Once I went on that visit, it was a no-brainer for me.
I committed to OU, and I’ve never looked back since.
Reaching My Potential
I was overwhelmed with relief when I finally found my future home.
It’s a feeling many college students can relate to — the recruiting process is exhausting and full of uncertainty.
But when you commit to a school, it’s like the weight of the world lifts off your shoulders.
With that burden gone, I stepped into soccer with newfound freedom and confidence.
My performance improved dramatically because I could finally play without the pressure, knowing I’d found my place and my path.
But that doesn’t mean the journey has been easy.
Far from it, in fact.
I’ve faced countless challenges — but through it all, I’ve remained fiercely loyal to this program and this school. That’s something I take deep pride in.
Serving as captain since the Spring of my freshman year has been an honor, and I hope to be an example for my teammates. I want them to see that if they commit fully, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
I believe the driving force behind everything I’ve achieved, whether as an athlete, a student, or a person, is my faith in God.
It’s what grounds me, what keeps me going. I’ve always been driven to push myself to the limit just to see how far I can go.
That mindset has been with me for as long as I can remember.
Even as a child, I hated losing.
I can vividly recall being just two or three, racing my siblings again and again until I won. We are triplets, so being the same age made the competition even more intense.
Giving up was never an option — it never has been.
When I committed to soccer seriously, I realized that with relentless effort, I could achieve more than I ever thought I could.
Like most kids in competitive sports, the dream was to play in college. But for me, it wasn’t just a dream — it became a clear goal, and I was determined to turn it into reality.
Maximizing my potential has always been at the core of who I am.
It’s a part of my identity that drives everything I do.
And that drive hasn’t wavered, it’s what fuels my passion to take the next step: medical school.
Preparing for Med School
My interest in medicine runs deep, influenced by my own story. Not only am I a triplet, we are also in vitro fertilization (IVF) babies.
I’ve always been grateful for the doctors and the incredible advancements in medicine that allowed my parents to have me, my brother, and my sister. That gratitude sparked a lifelong curiosity about the human body and a desire to help others.
During my time at OU, I’ve been able to nurture that passion.
I volunteered at a clinic in South OKC, where I worked as a translator for Spanish-speaking patients. That was a transformative experience for me.
I was able to bridge the gap between patients and doctors, and I saw firsthand how meaningful that connection could be. It was a powerful reminder of why I want to pursue medicine – to serve, to connect, and to make a difference in people’s lives.
The same drive that pushes me on the soccer field as captain, the desire to lead, to inspire, to work for something greater than myself is what pushes me in my academic pursuits.
Being a captain isn’t just about the wins or the game.
It’s about showing my teammates that hard work, dedication, and working together toward a shared goal can lead to success far beyond the field.
That lesson has shaped me in both sports and life, and it’s one I hope to carry with me into my future career as a physician.
Thank You, OU
The University of Oklahoma has been more than just a place to play soccer or attend classes — it has been the foundation that helped me grow into the person I am today.
The balance of athletic and academic excellence here has allowed me to push myself to my limits and realize my full potential.
I’m proud to be part of a community that fosters the strength of mind and body, and I am deeply grateful to call myself a Sooner.
As I look back on my time at OU, I know that I’m leaving a legacy, one that I hope inspires other young women to chase their dreams with the same determination.
I want them to know that no matter what challenges or obstacles they face, they can achieve their goals.
College is full of highs and lows, but it’s also a time of incredible growth. These years at OU have been the best of my life, not because they were easy but because they were meaningful.
And as I step into this next chapter, I do so with confidence, knowing that the lessons I’ve learned here will stay with me forever.
Boomer Sooner!
