“This team is filled with lots of great players . . . I have to work harder and push myself more to keep up.”
Ciara Wilson announced earlier this year that she will stay in the Valley after high school to attend Fresno State, where she will continue to focus on academics while playing soccer for the Bulldogs next fall. Wilson also made another major decision recently when she transferred from Central High School to Buchanan High, joining one of the top soccer programs in the state.
The senior interviewed with Fresno Sports Mag to talk about her expectations for the new season at Buchanan and her vision for the future, as well as her experience of playing club soccer with the Clovis Crossfire.
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1. Congrats on getting an opportunity to play at Fresno State. Can you explain why you chose to stay home and play for the Bulldogs? Was it mainly because you wanted to stay in Fresno or were there other things you loved about the school and the Dogs’ soccer program?
Thank you. I chose to stay home because it was the best option for me to be able to play in front of my friends and family. The Fresno State soccer program is the perfect fit for me and is run by a great coaching staff along with amazing players. Playing at the next level at Fresno State is a great way for me to represent the valley.
2. Was it a difficult decision for you to make when you compared Fresno State to other options you had?
The recruiting process is very stressful and you have to make smart decisions along the way. It is definitely not easy, but after coming out to watch games and talking with the coach it was pretty clear to me that I 100% wanted to go to Fresno State.
3. You’re also starting a new chapter at Buchanan. What are you looking forward to as you prepare to start the season with your new team?
I am definitely looking forward to making new friends and bonds with the team. I also am looking forward to playing my senior year to the fullest and having no regrets. I am prepared to work hard and be the best player that I can be for myself and my teammates.
4. Are you already familiar with many of the coaches and players at Buchanan? If so, do you feel like your chemistry will help your team as you take the field?
I have known some girls on the team since I was little and play club with them as well. Yes, I do feel like this will make my chemistry with the team a lot better. Since being here, I made friends with everyone on the team, so I know that team chemistry will be great this year.
5. You’re joining a very talented team at Buchanan that is used to winning championships. How do you think you will fit on this team that is already full of elite players?
I think that I will fit in with the team just fine because I am a very competitive player and we all have the same goal which is to be on top.
6. Are you expecting a tough competition with some of your teammates in order to earn playing time? If so, how do you handle that challenge?
This team is filled with lots of great players which is a benefit for me because I have to work harder and push myself more to keep up the high level. This is a very competitive team and we make each other better every practice.
7. What have you been doing during the offseason to prepare for the season? Anything specific you have been focusing on in your training?
During the off season I played club soccer. I mainly focused on my attacking and defending and using my speed on the attack.
8. You have a lot of experience with club and travel teams. What do you take away from that experience? Does it benefit you when you play with your school?
The style of play for club and school is always different because you have a whole year with your team versus school with just three months. Playing club gets me in better shape so that I can be ready for what’s to come during the school season.
9. How do you manage your energy level while playing soccer throughout most of the year, playing for your club teams and your school? Are there times where it gets too tiring?
This year club stopped before school began like it used to, but I did both club and school ball last season. It was tiring because some days I would go from having school practice and straight to club right after. We basically had eight practices a week and mostly two club games during the weekend. It is definitely better this year now that we can focus just on school ball.
10. I have heard you are also excelling in school. What’s the key to balancing school and sports?
Time management is a huge thing because you don’t want to be cramming work last minute. I always make sure that I am on top of my work now so that I don’t have to stress about it later. Being a student athlete pushes me to want to excel more in school since I am going to be playing at the next level.
11. What’s your vision for the upcoming season with Buchanan? What goals have you set for yourself and what do you hope to achieve as a team?
My goals are to be the best player that I can be and play to win. Our biggest goal as a team this season is to win TRAC and Valleys and to give it our all through the whole season.