No more chances to get a yellow card
Utah Statesman: When did you start playing soccer?Charity Weston: Ever since I was 5. I think my brother played and I wanted to play, so my parents signed me up. Started out in a youth league and when I was old enough, I started playing on club teams.
US: Have you played on other team sports? If so, why did you choose to play soccer?CW: I played basketball and softball growing up. I guess it’s more God-given talent in that area. I just enjoyed [soccer] more even though I played basketball in high school.
US: What was one of your most memorable experiences while playing soccer at USU?CW: Maybe Hawaii’s trip this year because of everything that happened. It was an experience. It didn’t last too long, so it wasn’t way scary, but it was a good experience – kind of crazy that it [an earthquake] happened while we were there.
US: Do you like getting yellow cards?CW: I’m not trying to go out and hurt my team by going out, but that’s my style of play. I’m not the type to let someone try to take me out on purpose and not react – get pushed and not push them back. That’s the type of player I am: feisty.
US: What are your feelings about graduation?CW: I can’t wait – I’m excited. It’s just my fifth year and I’m ready for something new in my life. Maybe look for a GA spot somewhere and help out on a team.
US: Do you have any concrete plans for life after you graduate?CW: Last summer I played on a summer tour team to keep playing. I think for sure I’ll do that in the summer.
US: Who do you think is the best soccer player in the world?CW: Everyone is saying Ronaldinho. I don’t know, I just watched a game with Kaka. He also plays for a national Brazil team. I’m impressed with him. I’m with other people who think he’s one of the best.
US: Is Mia Hamm as good as the male soccer players?CW: I definitely think she could take some of them on by just being smarter. She can handle her own. I respect her and her accomplishments.
US: Have you ever been tempted to rip off your shirt after scoring a goal?CW: Maybe after she did it, I thought right after, yeah. After watching the World Cup this summer I saw some pretty good celebrations, but I never did it afterwards.
US: Do you remember the first goal you scored at USU?CW: It was up at Boise State in my freshman year and we were playing Northern Colorado. They were trying to clear the ball and I was outside the 18-yard box and I one timed it and it hit the upper 90. It was one of the best goals I’ve ever shot.
US: Who is a player on your team you admire?CW: Charlsie Harris, [because of] all the adversity she’s been through to come back another year and give another try. She always tries to give the team all she has. She helped me out a lot. Off the bench she could help me out.
US: Powerade or Gatorade?CW: I’ve probably had more Gatorade. I’ll drink either, it depends which flavors. Powerade I’ll drink the arctic something, and Gatorade I like the dark purple kind.
US: If you had a million dollars and one day to spend it, what would you do with it?CW: I would travel and go to any Spanish-speaking country, travel all over South America and take my family with me and have a good time.
US: What is your secret nerdy passion?CW: I like video games like Madden and Fight Night boxing games – lots of sports games and maybe some shooting games here and there. I like to play Halo. I wanted to be a cop growing up, so I like the shoot up stuff.
US: If you could choose anything in the world as a career, what would you do?CW: I think I definitely want to do something with sports, whether it’s coaching or personal training.
US: What do all the awards you’ve received during your career at USU mean to you?CW: It’s more of a team recognition. I couldn’t do anything without my teammates. I’d rather be playing in the NCAA tournament than getting awards. It’s cool and I appreciate it.
US: Who is a role model for you?CW: I would have to say Jesus. He’s probably my biggest role model.
US: If you could be on any TV show, which one would it be?CW: I would like to be a broadcaster for Sports Center so I could interview all the basketball players and football players. They don’t cover soccer much, but I’d go interview [soccer players] anyways.