University of North Carolina Athletics
I'm A Tar Heel: Cameron Castleberry
November 2, 2016 | Women's Soccer
It's hard to really understand how fast four years fly by until you get to college. As a freshman moving my clothes and floral bed spread into Avery dorm, I felt like all I had was time (soon realizing that procrastination wasn't the key to success). However, as I prepare to play in my final ACC and NCAA Tournaments after recently celebrating my seniority and four soccer seasons as a Tar Heel on Senior Night, time has become precious.
This final season, I have consciously made an effort to stay fully present in every practice and game, every ice bath, and every pregame dance party in the locker room. And I've come to realize they all have one commonality that make the whole experience uniquely special. ALL the people. I can truly attest to the quality of the famous coaching staff not just in terms of coaching ability but also character. Their genuine investment not only in players' soccer development but also core values is evident in all of the incredible athletes and successful leaders who have graduated before me and set the bar so high. They have created a soccer dynasty of fabulous women. It's been an honor to play for each of them.
Thank you fans for contributing to the best game day experience I could have ever dreamed of. Your support through the ups and downs and bipolar weather never wavered and I am beyond grateful. It's definitely more fun when there's an audience and stage to perform all of the work we put in every single day "behind the scenes." You have successfully cheered many games of mine to victory and it wouldn't have been possible without your positive energy emitting from the bleachers or even behind a television screen.
And as for my teammates, the people I adore/sometimes loathe for beating me in 1v1s but always turn right around and hug, they have been the biggest gift of all. I have cherished every goofy laugh and relationship on and off the field and I can proudly say I have made a whole team of lifelong friends. I cannot imagine a more talented, driven, fun group of people. Each time we step on the field, we collectively make a point to play for the girl on our left and on our right. Whether it's making all of the sprints in fitness or making the sacrificial run allowing another to score, we play for each other and it has been incredibly rewarding!
I grew up a Tar Heel fan right down the road in Raleigh but only imagined in my wildest dreams I'd be given an opportunity to play soccer in that distinguished light blue uniform. And it has been just that, a dream come true. I wouldn't change a single thing about my four years here except for maybe adding a few more months onto the soccer season to keep playing. Thank you to everyone who has made this journey at the University of North Carolina so memorable.
UNC Women's Soccer
Senior, Raleigh, N.C.
