Westlake High's Katie Carroll Signs To Play At Quinnipiac

basketball star Katie Carroll recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. This week, she sat down for a brief interview to talk about her sports career, her coaches and her plans for the future.

Katie Carroll: I've been playing as long as I can remember. My parents were always supportive of me getting involved in sports, so I just played every sport. And I just really liked basketball so I stuck with it.

Westlake Patch: Was there a time where you had to decide what to focus on?

Carroll: Yeah, actually, in high school I played soccer for a fall sport and I quit that my junior year so I could focus on basketball more.

Patch: When you had to decide between the two, was that a tough decision to make?

Carroll: Yeah, actually, it was because a lot of my friends play soccer. But I if I wanted to play basketball in college I would have to focus on it, so it really was an easy decision after that.

Patch: Do you have any personal role models who inspire and challenge you?

Carroll: Definitely my coaches. I couldn’t have done it without my parents of course, but my coaches are the ones who really motivate me and teach me to be the best I can.

Patch: What’s your typical schedule like and how do you balance that against all your schoolwork?

Carroll: Well, in the spring and summer I played AU basketball which at times gets a little hectic because we’re gone a lot of the time. But during the year we practice from after school till about 5:30 or 6:00. After that I go home, shower, eat, do my homework, and go right to sleep. I go to bed pretty early.

Patch: What went into your decision making process for signing with Quinnipiac?

Carroll: I went there for a visit. Academics are really important to me. And I wanted to go somewhere that wasn’t in a city, where I could see grass. Grass was very important. So I went there and I immediately loved it; it’s beautiful. The coaches are really nice. It’s like a nice family environment. And the academics support my decision too.

Patch: What do you plan to study?

Carroll: Something in the biomedical field. I’m not really sure yet, but something in that area. I really like biology. Science just comes easier to me than other subjects.

Patch: How does it feel to have made your decision?

Carroll: It’s a giant relief, first of all. It’s kind of exciting. Everyone’s excited about it., but I’m kind of just glad I don’t have to deal with picking a college anymore.