The Magnificent McCluskey

All across America, kids watching on the TV and at stadiums and fields are in awe of professional athletes. So many of these kids play in recreational little leagues and have their fun, but as the years go on, sports become more serious and the number of athletes begins to fall.

Of those who make it into high school athletics, it's a great honor to be recruited for a varsity sport--especially at a top well-rounded school such as Duke. And many of the lucky ones who do end up at these top schools still can't even dream of national recognition and the privilege to put on the USA's red, white and blue.

But Casey McCluskey, a freshman on Duke's soccer team, had that opportunity years ago when she made the Under-14 National pool. She later played with the Under-17 National team and now is in the Under-19 National pool, still waiting to hear word on the final cuts.

"It's just awesome. It's such a great experience to be able to wear the USA colors," McCluskey said. She also believed the traveling was good for her because she made friends all over the country and also learned how to be more independent.

Even with all her experience and talent, McCluskey is still just a normal 18-year-old, who looked past her athletic options and focused on academics as well when she chose a college. That she was recruited by Duke, Notre Dame, Stanford, and the University of Virginia, all highly ranked schools for education and athletics, clearly shows McCluskey's academic prowess as well as her soccer ability.

"She's a very unselfish player," Church said of his young center midfielder. "She sets up players... and also does a great job burying chances."

In fact, McCluskey leads the points totals with eight goals, two of which were goal winners. Currently at 16 points, she is seven in front of second-leading scorer Alison Sanders, who has four goals.

Of Duke's 12 games in this season, there have been some unfortunate last minute losses. But McCluskey, who has seen action in all games and has started in eight, has not suffered as an individual player and instead has already made a name for herself on the field.

While attending West Springfield High School, McCluskey was named to the All-State, All-District, and All-Region teams. She was also an NSCAA All-America selection. She played forward until her junior year, but was recruited by former Duke coach Bill Hempen as a center midfielder.

"I'd still like to be a forward," McCluskey admitted, even though she is doing so well in the middle.

In the future, McCluskey is hoping to make the U-19 National team and perhaps play professionally. However, she is not looking past her college soccer career, especially not the remainder of this season.

"We've had a series of bad luck [in our games]... and I think some people have lost confidence," McCluskey said.

However, she credits her Blue Devil team as being well-rounded and deep, commenting that the level of play doesn't change when subs come in. She also is happy with the team chemistry on and off the field.

"The combination of how good our team is and how much fun we have" had originally helped McCluskey chose Duke over her other options.

Teammate Gwendolyn Oxenham, who was a clear standout in her class as a freshman last year, praises McCluskey's talent and believes that she's in the right place.

"She has so much natural ability," Oxenham said. "She's a very mature player for a freshman... She's obviously going to be a big contributor. It's great to have that solid of a finisher."

Perhaps McCluskey's contributions will someday be on national and professional fields. For now, though, she is sticking with the task at hand: to keep on scoring and live up to her fast-growing reputation at Duke.