Usually when  a girl is asked what sport she plays, she says soccer, volleyball, or softball. However, Freshman Abby McGee will answer differently.
McGee is the only girl on the UC High Freshman Football Team. You may see her at one of the games, standing on the field in the kickers’ position with her ponytail peeking out of her helmet.
McGee said that she had never played football before, although she had played soccer for ten years. “I figured if I could kick a soccer ball, why wouldn’t I be able to kick a football?” said McGee. This thought  motivated her to join the football team.
During the summer training program, McGee was able to make a team connection with all of the guys. “The team connection is amazing. We are like one big family,” she explained.  She continued, “They do joke around and tease me because I am the only girl, but I consider them all great friends.”
Linebacker Grant Ruthenburg described the differences of having a girl as one of his teammates. “I have never had a girl on my football team during my four years of playing,” said Ruthenburg. He feels his team is doing better with McGee being a part of it and said, “No one else can kick field goals like her.” He also added, “Having a girl on the football team has been a good experience.”
Freshman Austin Nelson also described the way he felt about McGee being on his team. “It’s like one big family with forty brothers and one sister.” He claimed that McGee had made two touchdowns and one tackle so far in the season. “It’s pretty amazing that she was able to do that because none of the guys on the team could get the guy that she tackled. She is a really good player.”
It seems that bonding with the team is not all that McGee got from the summer training program. “The training sessions have helped me get into better shape.” She also said that she has built character from the program. McGee said that during the training she felt like one of the guys, although now she feels differently when not being able to do the hitting drills at practice because she is only the kicker.
McGee claimed that football is her favorite sport. She ended up enjoying it more than soccer. “The team bonding isn’t like any other sport,” she explained.
McGee was also able to make a great bond with the team’s coach, Freshman Football Coach Keith Aguon. “Abby works hard at what she does. She is intelligent and a quick learner. I give her all the credit for her success so far this season,” he said, and continued, “Abby has improved the most on her kickoffs. She has been exceptional on all other aspects of the kicking game.” He also claimed that because she has such a great attitude overall, there haven’t been any problems between her and the males on the team.
Aguon also explained where McGee stands when being compared to the other kickers he has taught in his eight years of coaching a freshman team. “I can honestly say Abby is the most consistent kicker I’ve coached when it comes to PAT’s and field goals.” Aguon explained that McGee is the first female he has ever coached in football.
The team’s overall performance is not at all different when having a girl on the team. “She is performing so well, we look at her as our kicker getting the job done. We’re happy to have that,” said Aguon. “Abby is our starting kicker. If you are a starter at any position, you are a good player. I look at her as a good football player, not just a girl on the football team. It has been a pleasure to coach her this season.”
McGee’s father is very supportive about the idea of her being on the football team. “I didn’t think I would like football at first, but now I love it. Ever since I decided to join, my dad has been very supportive. He now comes to all my games,” said McGee. With her continued interest in sticking with football, the support of her dad, coach, and teammates will surely help her to go far.