May 10, 2016
Hannah Harvey
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While freshmen athletes make the transition from high school to college, senior athletes jump from the comfort of their undergraduate to bigger and better horizons.
Senior health science major Kim Catlett spent the last four years as an outside hitter for the volleyball team and one semester as a long and triple jumper on the track team.
Catlett said she was recruited to the volleyball team her junior year of high school.
In her time at UCCS, Catlett has been a part of some groundbreaking events. Catlett was voted to two All-Region teams, was the RMAC Academic Player of the Year and helped beat Metropolitan State University on their home court for the first time in program history.
In her time as a UCCS athlete, she said she learned some important lessons.
“Perception is reality; what others perceive on the outside is their reality of you until you give them a reason to change their perspective,” said Catlett.
Working hard also doesn’t just happen on the court, according to Catlett.
“How you react to change, criticism and adversity determines your success in all aspects of life,” said Catlett.
After graduation, Catlett said she intends to continue her education at UCCS, among other career-advancing activities.
“I will be getting my masters in sports medicine: strength and conditioning from UCCS, working for the UCCS Athletic Department and being the graduate assistant Volleyball Coach,” said Catlett.
Catlett is also considering continuing her athletic career by competing in track for her final two semesters of NCAA eligibility.
“I would like to stay involved in athletics in some capacity. I have been coaching club volleyball for four years now and hope to continue that, possibly get into athletic administration or strength and conditioning,” said Catlett.
Catlett said if she could give advice to other graduating athletes, it would be to remember who you are and still compete.
“You are not defined by your sport. You have competed in that sport for several years and it has been a huge part of you but your worth is not derived from your participation in that sport,” said Catlett.