Major: Sport Management
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Career Highlights: Two-time letter winner for both Cross County and Track and Field; 2014 First Team All-American; 2014 Anne Dolan Award Female Athlete of the Year; 2013 NCAA Cross Country Qualifier; 2014 WCC All-Academic Team
Biography: Soethout came to USF from the University of Cologne in Germany where she placed third in the German Championships in the 10,000 meters. She made an immediate impact as a graduate transfer on the Hilltop finishing eighth in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championships to earn All-American honors thus becoming USF's first track and field All-American. She competed in seven cross country meets during her two years with the Green and Gold. Soethout placed 11th at the WCC Preview with a time of 20:32, her best time of the season on a 6k course. She ended the 2014 season by placing 12th at the NCAA Regionals with a time of 20:37. After graduation, Soethout moved back to her home country, and currently works at Nike in Berlin.
Why Soethout Chose USF: “The track and field program was strong for female distance running, but at the same time not huge. At USF there was lots of focus on the individual athlete. I also wanted to live in a big city, even better - it turned out to be the best city ever.”
Favorite USF Memories: “The USF women's track and field team was a strong and talented group of women. I won’t forget the endless amount of runs through Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Chrissy Field, Lands End Lookout, the Polo Field, Stow Lake and Lake Merced - so many good memories. On every run the views fascinated me all over again."
The USF Student-Athlete Experience: “Having great teammates from all over the world, being able to study and compete on a high level at the same time, and travel and see the USA through sports.”
Life After USF: Soethout moved back to Germany, to start an internship with Nike. Eventually she was promoted to a full-time position with Nike. Soethout still runs to stay fit, and lives in Berlin.
