By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
As the whirlwind of Heidi Clayton's senior year at Madisonville-North Hopkins nears a close, the Lady Maroon soccer standout has begun to understand the gravity of advancing to the next level.
On Monday afternoon at North's school library, Clayton signed a letter of intent to continue playing soccer for Kentucky Wesleyan College one day after celebrating her 18th birthday.
Following photographs and the official signing ceremony, Clayton discussed the emotions of realizing a new chapter of her life lies on the advancing horizon.
"It's crazy to be so close," Clayton said of her approaching transition to college. "It's all hitting me all at once, being an adult and signing for college. It's a big deal."
Clayton ended her career with North as the all-time Lady Maroons scorer with 111 goals, eclipsing Laura Nance's mark by one.
Steve Shepard, who recently resigned as girls coach, said Clayton can expect to be quite successful, but must realize the workload that accompanies collegiate ball.
"She's going to have an impact anywhere she plays as long as she goes to play," he said. "It's going to take a little more effort to play at the next level because everybody is good. She's still an above average athlete, but she'll have to work to be as effective as she was, but without a doubt she'll have an impact."
On Monday afternoon at North's school library, Clayton signed a letter of intent to continue playing soccer for Kentucky Wesleyan College one day after celebrating her 18th birthday.
Following photographs and the official signing ceremony, Clayton discussed the emotions of realizing a new chapter of her life lies on the advancing horizon.
"It's crazy to be so close," Clayton said of her approaching transition to college. "It's all hitting me all at once, being an adult and signing for college. It's a big deal."
Clayton ended her career with North as the all-time Lady Maroons scorer with 111 goals, eclipsing Laura Nance's mark by one.
Steve Shepard, who recently resigned as girls coach, said Clayton can expect to be quite successful, but must realize the workload that accompanies collegiate ball.
"She's going to have an impact anywhere she plays as long as she goes to play," he said. "It's going to take a little more effort to play at the next level because everybody is good. She's still an above average athlete, but she'll have to work to be as effective as she was, but without a doubt she'll have an impact."
Clayton said she has already learned a bit of what to expect from Nance, who played for Wesleyan her first two years of school but decided not to return for the upcoming season.
"We have conversations from time to time," Clayton said. "She's just said that they condition hard and they get up early in the mornings. They do work hard and they've gotten better from year to year, their program is rising."
Although Nance has left the squad, Clayton will enter with fellow North senior Troyana Hardy, a goalkeeper, and both hope to help the Lady Panthers' continue to build tradition.
"I think me and Troyana will be great assets to the team," Clayton said. "She is a great goalie. As for me, I think I'll be able to bring a lot to the table because just my speed and being able to pass well. As much as I can score, I can assist. I can pass very well too and I think I can help the team out."
In addition to her goal-scoring ability, Clayton indeed made great contributions with her passing ability by leading the state with 24 assists during her senior campaign.
At 5-2, Clayton's height might be a disadvantage as a forward against opposing defenses, but Clayton said she doesn't plan on backing down.
"Even though I'm little, I get in there," she said. "It doesn't matter how big they are, I get in there and I fight with them. It'll be a big transition, a big adjustment, but I think I'll jump right into it and head on and do well."
Shepard also said Clayton has many more talents than just the ability to fire to the back of the net.
"Everything - her speed, her will to win, she's tough," he said. "Definitely, her ball skills."
With the Lady Maroons, Clayton also offered strong on-field guidance to fellow players, but as a rookie, she'll be the one to listen now.
"Coming in as a freshman, I'm at the bottom of the pack," she said. "I don't have that leadership role anymore like I did my senior year.
"I can't come in there thinking I've got this. I will definitely have to work hard and show them I can be a part of the team and contribute to it."
If Clayton can prove herself and continues to push her skills to the limit, Shepard said he thinks Wesleyan could just be another rung on the Lady Maroon's ladder of success.
"You have to work on your weaknesses constantly because that's what is going to get you from that level to the next level," he said. "There wasn't another level just a few years ago and now this year, the Women's Professional Soccer League is back again. So, now there's actually another level you can aspire to and without a doubt, with hard work, I think she can play at the next level."
"We have conversations from time to time," Clayton said. "She's just said that they condition hard and they get up early in the mornings. They do work hard and they've gotten better from year to year, their program is rising."
Although Nance has left the squad, Clayton will enter with fellow North senior Troyana Hardy, a goalkeeper, and both hope to help the Lady Panthers' continue to build tradition.
"I think me and Troyana will be great assets to the team," Clayton said. "She is a great goalie. As for me, I think I'll be able to bring a lot to the table because just my speed and being able to pass well. As much as I can score, I can assist. I can pass very well too and I think I can help the team out."
In addition to her goal-scoring ability, Clayton indeed made great contributions with her passing ability by leading the state with 24 assists during her senior campaign.
At 5-2, Clayton's height might be a disadvantage as a forward against opposing defenses, but Clayton said she doesn't plan on backing down.
"Even though I'm little, I get in there," she said. "It doesn't matter how big they are, I get in there and I fight with them. It'll be a big transition, a big adjustment, but I think I'll jump right into it and head on and do well."
Shepard also said Clayton has many more talents than just the ability to fire to the back of the net.
"Everything - her speed, her will to win, she's tough," he said. "Definitely, her ball skills."
With the Lady Maroons, Clayton also offered strong on-field guidance to fellow players, but as a rookie, she'll be the one to listen now.
"Coming in as a freshman, I'm at the bottom of the pack," she said. "I don't have that leadership role anymore like I did my senior year.
"I can't come in there thinking I've got this. I will definitely have to work hard and show them I can be a part of the team and contribute to it."
If Clayton can prove herself and continues to push her skills to the limit, Shepard said he thinks Wesleyan could just be another rung on the Lady Maroon's ladder of success.
"You have to work on your weaknesses constantly because that's what is going to get you from that level to the next level," he said. "There wasn't another level just a few years ago and now this year, the Women's Professional Soccer League is back again. So, now there's actually another level you can aspire to and without a doubt, with hard work, I think she can play at the next level."
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