Special to the Leader
Julie Arnold has never been one to sit and wait for the moment. Instead, she attacks most things with a swiftness and aggressiveness she exhibits on the soccer field.
Tuesday morning was no different, as the Round Rock High School senior signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Texas at Austin. Arnold will graduate in December, enrolling early at UT to jumpstart her academic and athletic career.
Wearing a burnt orange Texas tank top, Arnold signed the scholarship in front of family, friends and coaches.
"This is a very important day," she said. "It's the next four years of my life, so I'm excited. It was definitely a hard decision.
"I have to sacrifice my whole senior year - giving up prom, graduation. But I'm willing to do that. That's how much I love the sport. I'm excited and ready to go."
Arnold took summer school courses the past two years, while doubling her course work to allow for the early graduation.
The monumental day for Julie, also was important for her father, David Arnold, a former Baylor football player, who traded in his green and gold shirts for a first day wearing burnt orange.
"I'm an old Baylor Bear and very proud of it," he said wearing a Texas polo. "I'll never totally switch colors, but for soccer absolutely. This is an exciting time."
Needling his daughter to opt for the school he attended, it worked as Baylor and Texas A&M rounded out her top three choices of schools.
"I like the winning tradition at Texas and how it's close to home," said Julie, who made the decision her sophomore year. "That was definitely a big factor. I'm the last [child] and I didn't want to go far from home."
The 5-foot-9 Arnold turned heads early in her prep career, as she led her school and district in goals her freshman year, while capturing District MVP.
"There are not very many defenders that get in her way," Round Rock soccer girls coach Toby Walker said. "She's a very quick athlete, very savvy on the ball. She knows what to do and is very crafty.
"She is very goal driven. When she has something on her mind, she is going to do it."
Arnold will be the fifth Dragon soccer player awarded a Division-I scholarship during Walker's six-year tenure as coach.
Arnold played forward in high school and played midfielder for her club team, Lonestar Soccer Club. In college she is scheduled to play a defender position.
Enrolling early allows her to train with the team in the spring.
"I have to improve everything," she said. "We'll start training by getting in the weight room to get stronger, faster and more technical on the ball. The coaches all do everything they can to make you a better player.
"At Texas you have to win the Big 12 and the goal is the national title. There will be a lot of work to be done."
Julie Arnold has never been one to sit and wait for the moment. Instead, she attacks most things with a swiftness and aggressiveness she exhibits on the soccer field.
Tuesday morning was no different, as the Round Rock High School senior signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Texas at Austin. Arnold will graduate in December, enrolling early at UT to jumpstart her academic and athletic career.
Wearing a burnt orange Texas tank top, Arnold signed the scholarship in front of family, friends and coaches.
"This is a very important day," she said. "It's the next four years of my life, so I'm excited. It was definitely a hard decision.
"I have to sacrifice my whole senior year - giving up prom, graduation. But I'm willing to do that. That's how much I love the sport. I'm excited and ready to go."
Arnold took summer school courses the past two years, while doubling her course work to allow for the early graduation.
The monumental day for Julie, also was important for her father, David Arnold, a former Baylor football player, who traded in his green and gold shirts for a first day wearing burnt orange.
"I'm an old Baylor Bear and very proud of it," he said wearing a Texas polo. "I'll never totally switch colors, but for soccer absolutely. This is an exciting time."
Needling his daughter to opt for the school he attended, it worked as Baylor and Texas A&M rounded out her top three choices of schools.
"I like the winning tradition at Texas and how it's close to home," said Julie, who made the decision her sophomore year. "That was definitely a big factor. I'm the last [child] and I didn't want to go far from home."
The 5-foot-9 Arnold turned heads early in her prep career, as she led her school and district in goals her freshman year, while capturing District MVP.
"There are not very many defenders that get in her way," Round Rock soccer girls coach Toby Walker said. "She's a very quick athlete, very savvy on the ball. She knows what to do and is very crafty.
"She is very goal driven. When she has something on her mind, she is going to do it."
Arnold will be the fifth Dragon soccer player awarded a Division-I scholarship during Walker's six-year tenure as coach.
Arnold played forward in high school and played midfielder for her club team, Lonestar Soccer Club. In college she is scheduled to play a defender position.
Enrolling early allows her to train with the team in the spring.
"I have to improve everything," she said. "We'll start training by getting in the weight room to get stronger, faster and more technical on the ball. The coaches all do everything they can to make you a better player.
"At Texas you have to win the Big 12 and the goal is the national title. There will be a lot of work to be done."
Published in the Round Rock Leader on Oct. 6, 2010.
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