For the month of October, we will be featuring Cal State San Marcos alumna and Women's Soccer Assistant Coach, Kelly Wherry. From her student-athlete days to becoming a collegiate coach, Kelly has traveled through CSUSM leaving her pawprints; beginning in 2006 when she became a part of the recruiting class for the first-ever women's soccer program.
 
Kelly's passion for soccer developed while watching her older brother play all throughout her childhood.
 
"He is seven years older than me and I went to all of his games growing up." Wherry explained. "I loved going to all his games and watching him play, so I knew then that I wanted to be a soccer player."
 
Kelly was a two-time NAIA All-American and 2008 A.I.I. Conference MVP while competing for the Cougars. She served as team captain for three seasons, earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete status and was a two-time all-conference selection while leading the Cougars to two conference championships. Kelly thought it was pretty surreal to be a part of the program's beginnings and is amazed at how much it has grown since 2006.
 
Kelly shared with us that one of her favorite memories was winning their first league championships in the NAIA in 2008. "We traveled to San Antonio and won in penalty kicks. I remember my dad walking up to me after we won with tears in his eyes because he was so happy and proud."
 
In 2011, Kelly graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Psychology. Wanting to stay within the sport, Kelly began getting involved with coaching at all levels, including club, high school and collegiate for several years before making her way back home.
 
Fast forward to 2016 and the California native accepted the position as Assistant Coach to the women's soccer program at CSUSM thanks in part to her former coaches turned co-workers. Coach Ron Pulvers and Bobby Renneisen taught her important life lessons during her four years as a student-athlete that she still uses and shares with her teams today.
 
"Ron and Bobby are family," Kelly states. "They put so much of themselves into their coaching and into their teams. I know I would have never gotten into coaching if it hadn't been for both of them."
 
Those life lessons and her past experience as a team captain come together to form a perfect recipe; a valuable and unique resource to her student-athletes and current captains.
 
"I went through everything they are going through now," Kelly explains. "I'd like to think I can be there for them for advice and support both on and off the field, just as I was for my team when I was a captain here many years ago."
 
With so many memories already made at CSUSM and those that are yet to come; what is Kelly's fondest moment? She enthusiastically replied, "Obviously when we recently beat the then No. 1 University of California San Diego! I was so proud of the team. To see them beat UCSD 12 years later with outright heart and effort was so amazing. I will admit I got a little emotional with that win."
 
As for the future of CSUSM women's soccer, Kelly wants her team to win the conference  championship and make it to the NCAA tournament which she fully knows they are capable of doing.
 
"It is going to require a lot of effort from all 33 players," Kelly said. " The team needs to know that we all have their back, including the alumni who support this program near and far. We know they can do it!"
 
From Kelly and the rest of CSUSM Athletics, Go Cougars!