Interview with Arielis Whitman
After dedicating nearly a decade of her life, Arielis Whitman has announced her commitment to McDaniel College to continue her athletic career in soccer. As a child, Arielis participated in many sports, but only one sport stood out to her: soccer. Growing up in a family deeply committed to soccer, she was immersed in the sport from a young age. Her most profound source of inspiration came from her older brothers, who were her role models. Before transitioning to FCGB Center of Excellence in 2022, Arielis was a part of GSS from the age of 7 to 13 years old, later joining World Class at the age of 15 until her commitment to FCGB. Arielis faced difficulties in her past two clubs, where she faced a sense of loneliness. She expressed how she didn’t fit in with the other girls as they associated themselves with their own group. Introduced to FCGB by a teammate in her high school soccer team, Gaithersburg Girls Soccer, she created strong, inseparable bonds with the other girls, turning FCGB into a place that felt like home.
When questioned about the moment Arielis came to the realization that she wanted to continue her athletic journey, she eloquently expressed that it was a lifelong aspiration, a dream she had harbored from the very beginning. Arielis visualizes herself to purse soccer even outside of college as she drives towards the professional world of soccer. There was a time when Arielis's dream came under scrutiny as a series of injuries to her right ankle severely threatened her unwavering passion for soccer. The mentality Arielis kept as she endured multiple injuries was remembering her dedication to this sport for years. Her love for playing the sport overshadowed the mental battles she endured due to her injuries, compelling her to embark on a journey to enhance her physical strength, elevate her performance, and strive for greater accomplishments.
Arielis acknowledges that she cannot claim sole credit for her success. She holds her mother in the highest regard, emphasizing her mother's unwavering dedication to her daughter's triumph in her athletic journey. From the lengthy drives to practice, regardless of the hour, her mother provided unwavering emotional support to Arielis. She comforted her, motivated her, and stood by her side during the most challenging moments. Arielis’s brothers were also critical to her growth as a soccer player. She believes she inherited her competitiveness from them, and they also passed down their knowledge of soccer to her.
If Arielis could impart wisdom to her younger self, she would encourage her to hold her head high. In the face of persistent injuries, she found it challenging to stay motivated. Learning the importance of maintaining a positive mindset after these setbacks was a lesson she wished she could have grasped earlier in life. As Arielis matured, she began to prioritize her mental outlook. To overcome performance challenges, she began examining her mistakes with the intent of improvement. Arielis delved into the tactical aspects of soccer, studying the play of professional teams like FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, integrating their techniques into her own playmaking as a midfielder. She also took inspiration from her teammates, admiring their confidence on the ball as a valuable trait.
Arielis's time at FCGB was marked by some of her most cherished moments. When asked to describe her experience at the club, she reflected on the amount of core memories and the development of profound relationships with fellow athletes. Her fondest memory was the IMG Tournament in Florida in March 2023. FCGB not only provided her with incredible memories but also imparted valuable lessons, such as the importance of intensity, which Arielis is determined to carry with her into her college journey. She emphasized that, even if she might not be at the same skill level as other players, she would always give her utmost effort and elevate the intensity of her performance. Arielis also spoke about the crucial mental lesson she learned at FCGB: if she truly didn't want to be there, she wouldn’t. This mentality drove her to overcome obstacles and advance in her soccer journey.