Silent Strength. Lasting Legacy.
From a three-year-old chasing a ball to a senior leading on and off the field, my journey is built on passion, resilience, and connection.
As a Senior Women’s Soccer player at Western Colorado University, my journey has been defined by a love for the game that began at age three. Soccer is more than competition for me; it is about connection, leadership, and resilience. My proudest accomplishment is the team culture I built in high school, where every player felt included and valued, a legacy that saved a life. I carry this mindset into every season, holding onto the joy of playing. Soccer has taught me invaluable lessons in silent strength, time management, and discipline, all of which prepare me for a future in physical therapy. My identity as an athlete is rooted in the relationships I have built, the lessons I have learned, and the legacy I aim to leave behind.
Silent Strength. Lasting Legacy.
From a three-year-old chasing a ball to a senior leading on and off the field, my journey is built on passion, resilience, and connection.
As a Senior Women’s Soccer player at Western Colorado University, my journey has been defined by a love for the game that began at age three. Soccer is more than competition for me; it is about connection, leadership, and resilience. My proudest accomplishment is the team culture I built in high school, where every player felt included and valued, a legacy that saved a life. I carry this mindset into every season, holding onto the joy of playing. Soccer has taught me invaluable lessons in silent strength, time management, and discipline, all of which prepare me for a future in physical therapy. My identity as an athlete is rooted in the relationships I have built, the lessons I have learned, and the legacy I aim to leave behind.
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"There’s so much more to the game than competition — it’s about connection, support, and using your platform to lift others up"
"There’s so much more to the game than competition — it’s about connection, support, and using your platform to lift others up"
Awards & Recognitions
Milestones that reflect my commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.
2024
- College Sports Communicators NCAA Division II Academic All-District Team
- Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)All-Academic Honor Roll
- Started all 16 games played, logging 1,229 minutes (nearly 77 minutes per game)
2023
- All-RMAC Honorable Mention
- RMAC Academic Honor Roll
- Played in 17 of 18 games, starting 13
- Six full 90-minute games and two games with at least 85 minutes, totaling 1,225 minutes on the season
2025
When the Mountaineers needed a spark, Karly Morkunas delivered. Racing to a loose ball and firing home her first collegiate goal, Karly helped Western Colorado rally late for a 2-2 draw at CSU Pueblo. The Paper Clip Copy Center is proud to support her journey as she continues making her mark this season.
2024
- College Sports Communicators NCAA Division II Academic All-District Team
- Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)All-Academic Honor Roll
- Started all 16 games played, logging 1,229 minutes (nearly 77 minutes per game)
2023
- All-RMAC Honorable Mention
- RMAC Academic Honor Roll
- Played in 17 of 18 games, starting 13
- Six full 90-minute games and two games with at least 85 minutes, totaling 1,225 minutes on the season
Milestones that reflect my commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.
"A pivotal moment in my athletic career that shaped my identity as both an athlete and a person was committing to continue my academic and athletic journey at Western Colorado University. Every ‘no’ is simply a step closer to the right ‘yes.’"
My Story in My Words
What is your proudest accomplishment as an athlete?
"During my senior year of high school, I made it my mission as a leader to ensure every single teammate felt included, valued, and loved. On my senior night, I learned that effort had made a life-changing impact. It had saved a life. That moment completely shifted my perspective on what it truly means to be a teammate."
What advice would you give your younger self?
"Never forget why you started playing the sport you love. Through the highs and lows, hold on to the joy of passing the ball with your friends and being fully present in the moment. That joy is the reason I fell in love with the game."
How does your athletic career influence your future?
"Athletics taught me resilience, discipline, and what I call silent strength. It is about showing up and working hard even when no one is watching. Those lessons will guide me as a future physical therapist, where the goal is always to show up for patients, no matter the challenges."
What values or qualities have you developed through athletics?
"I have learned that true leadership is about setting the standard, caring deeply about those around you, and earning respect through your actions, not attention. That is the kind of leader I strive to be."
How have you handled challenges like injuries or self-doubt?
"Setbacks are not detours. They are part of the journey. Once I took ownership of my mindset and challenged the voice of doubt with belief in myself, everything began to shift. I became a different kind of athlete, one who plays with purpose, self-trust, and resilience."
