ESPN RISE

At 5-foot-3, Kaitlyn Kerr thought she was too small for basketball. She switched her focus to soccer and has become a rising giant in the sport.

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Pennington Prep soccer

Kaitlyn Kerr led Pennington to the top ranking in the ESPN RISE FAB 50.

Kerr, from Bensalem, Pa., and member of the FC Bucks club team, is a junior at Pennington School (N.J.) where she recently helped the team to a FAB 50 No. 1 ranking for fall girls' teams. The midfielder finished the season with team-highs of 19 goals and 15 assists. She will be part of the ESPN RISE Fall All-America squad, which will be released in mid-December.

ESPN RISE caught up with Kerr during the season to learn more about this standout player.

ESPNRISE: What sports did you play prior to focusing on soccer?
Kerr: I played AAU basketball, softball and roller hockey.

RISE: Why soccer?
Kerr: In ninth grade, I was going to school in New jersey, but I live in Bensalem (Pa.). There was too much travel. ODP [soccer] was picking up and there was a lot of travel for my club team, too. I'm glad I played soccer instead of basketball, I'm too small for basketball.

RISE: How did you end up at Pennington?
Kerr: My mom and dad wanted me to attend a religious/Catholic school. We looked at Nazareth (Academy), Germantown Academy, Archbishop Ryan, but choose Pennington for its soccer.

RISE: You play for the six-time defending State Cup club champs. What is your favorite soccer memory?
Kerr: "Winning Region I with the FC Bucks [summer 2008]. We've been trying for so many years. The year before, we got to the final and lost [to eventual national champion McLean Freedom, Va.].

RISE: Since making your national team debut, recruiting has picked up. What universities are you considering?
Kerr: Duke, Boston College, Virginia, Notre Dame, Florida State, Wake Forest.

RISE: What is something most soccer fans would not know about you?
Kerr: "I wear Livestrong [bracelet] on my ankles. I felt everyone was wearing them on their wrist, so I wanted to be different."

RISE: What activities do you enjoy, away from soccer?
Kerr: "I love going shopping and going to [beach towns] Wildwood and Ocean City. I like to be outside with my friends."

Sheldon Shealer is the soccer editor of ESPN RISE.com. You can reach him by e-mail, sheldon.shealer@espn.com.