Thomas Strives to Succeed at the Highest Level

Sophia Thomas put in the time to get to where she's at now. A D1 athlete at a Power Five program in her home state. The Muscatine, Iowa, native is in her second season with the Cyclones and has played in all 32 possible games to date.

Thomas is one of three Iowa natives on the roster, including both Jocelyn Bice and Avery Horner, as all three enrolled last season. All members of the same high school class, the three were part of only a handful of athletes to move on to the D1 ranks.

"Our high school class was really good," said Thomas. "It started when we were younger. We (Avery and Jocelyn) were all a part of the state's ODP (Olympic Development Program), where the best young players in the state came together to form a team. We'd face other state's 'all-star' regional teams, and we never lost a game."

Avery Horner, Sophia Thomas & Jocelyn Bice HS
(Second from left: Sophia Thomas, to her right: Jocelyn Bice, far right: Avery Horner on their regional team)

According to Thomas, the best thing that came from the ODP might not have been her development in soccer but the friendships she made.

"Avery and I have been best friends since middle school," says Thomas. "We met on the ODP team, and then I started playing club with her later on. We committed here together. We were the forward-middle duo. That was how we got recruited – together. I knew I wanted to come here, and we eventually ended up committing here together."

Sophia Thomas & Avery Horner HS
(Thomas & Horner on an ODP road trip)

Despite having success at the ODP level with young athletes, the state of Iowa was a late adapter to high-level club soccer. To this day, only one club at the ECNL level exists for the entire state, whereas neighboring states like Illinois and Missouri have at least three clubs to accommodate players. Iowa's ECNL club, Sporting Iowa, was created in 2021 as Thomas entered her senior year of high school.

When asked, Thomas says, "A lot of states have many clubs, and that's why I think Iowa doesn't get recruited as much." She continued, "My grade across the state was pretty good, but we just never got the publicity."

With the lone ECNL club in the state being in Des Moines, aspiring high-level women's soccer players better have grown up close or committed to daily multi-hour commutes for practice. Thomas, as well as Horner, were the latter. (The story photo is of Thomas and Horner on their ECNL team)

"She (Avery) and I would carpool with four other girls – our parents would take turns driving – and we'd do three hours there, two hours of practice, and three hours back," says Thomas. "I was getting home at midnight, like every night. Then school the next day started at 6:30 because I was in lift."

Despite the long hours for a high schooler, it's fair to say that the time put into the sport has paid off for Thomas. She has started 12 matches for the Cyclones and recorded one goal. What makes it worth it though is the support she gets from her friends and family back in her hometown of Muscatine.

"Everyone back home knows my whole schedule and tries to watch my games," said Thomas. "After games end, I get texts saying that they were tuned in, and I'm so thankful for that. It's awesome. Everyone back home makes me feel the best."

Thomas adds, "The support I received specifically from my parents was huge and I wouldn't be where I am today without them. They drove and took me around basically the whole country for bigger and better opportunities. Not everyone is lucky enough to have the support that I did so I'm extremely thankful for them."

Sophia Thomas & Parents HS
(Thomas and her parents at her high school senior day)

With the national relevance of the United States women's national soccer team, it is fair to expect an uptick in women's soccer in the US. With Iowa entering the ECNL in 2021, it appears the state is heading in the right direction.

"I just think it's grown so much," says Thomas. "Now that there are more and more young soccer players that are receiving proper coaching, it's increased the level of play as well as the interest in the sport across the country."

Thomas Strives to Succeed at the Highest Level

Players Mentioned

Jocelyn Bice

Avery Horner

Sophia Thomas

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics

Thomas Strives to Succeed at the Highest Level

Players Mentioned

Jocelyn Bice

Avery Horner

Sophia Thomas

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