Ashlie Harder, a graduate of Lutheran High School Parker in 2006, is currently pursuing her dream of playing soccer at Valparaiso, a Division I college. Few players can make the jump from small high school sports to Division I college sports. Ashlie seems to have done so flawlessly.

Every aspect of college sports is harder and faster. A normal week of practice here at Lutheran may consist of five practices (including intense conditioning) and a few lifting sessions. According to Ashlie, in a typical week at Valparaiso, the girls' soccer team practices five times. They condition on Tuesday and Thursday in the mornings and practice techniques and team play on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at night. They also lift weights three times a week, after the practices. Oh yeah, that doesn't include the long, rigorous runs on the weekend.

Sports may not even be the most difficult facet of a college athlete's life. How does a college athlete keep up with studies after missing so much class during the season? This is a question that haunts many student athletes. In fact, a study done in 2000 by the NCAA showed that only 47% of all college athletes graduate within six years. For Ashlie, not a problem: "We had several girls on our team with a 4.0 and even more right below that. Most of the professors are really good at working with you so it's not impossible."

It is tough to get into a college sport coming from such a small school. Few scouts may look at athletes from a school with only about 150 students. This could cause many people to lose heart but it didn't bother Ashlie. She kept her eyes focused on the goal. She gives this advice to anyone planning on being a college athlete, "Take the risks other people won't. If you don't, you will get lost in the mix and that's worse than messing up." Lay yourself on the line. Anyone can show up to practice and go through all the drills. Try to stand out. Get noticed by going above and beyond the simple requirements. Follow Ashlie's example and you too could be a successful athlete at the college level.