Recent 2023 Parkland High School graduate, Catherine Crampton, is the epitome of a student-athlete, and she found success at both. Crampton was an All-State player on a league and district championship winning Trojans girls soccer team, while also being a medalist in track & field. And in the classroom, she earned the Lehigh Valley Scholar-Athlete award, given to one student out of 48 schools in District 11.

Her senior year last year was a year she will not forget, and she capped that off by being selected as the Parkland Press Female Athlete of the Year.

“I had an amazing time during my senior year,” said Crampton. “I feel like last year I was able to get closer with more of my teammates and that helped us get as far as we did. I’m honored to have been a part of yet another EPC and District 11 championship team and proud to have something to show for all the hard work me and the rest of the girls put in before and during the season.

“I wish we could have lasted longer in the state tournament, but we gave a great fight and that is all I could have asked for from everyone. I’m sad to leave all my friends but the relationships I’ve made these past four years, especially my last year as a senior, will stay with me going into the future.”

Parkland girls soccer went 23-1 last season and a perfect 16-0 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, the lone loss coming in the first round of the state tournament to Central Bucks West. The Trojans won both the EPC and District 11 titles and Crampton was happy to be a major part of the success as an All-Conference and All-State defender.

“Parkland has a nice, strong record when it comes to these tournaments and being able to keep that going was one of the main goals the seniors this year had. No one wants to be in the class that breaks the streak,” Crampton said. “This year both championship games were different than years past because the games were so close until the very last minutes. I think all the preseason and summer training that we did before season helped us be so successful because we were able to keep the same strength, determination, and pressure throughout the whole game.

“We were also a very close team this year. No one was upset about playing time or bickering about what others were doing because the whole team was playing for the girl next to them; we all had the same goal and we all leaned on each other to get there.”

Crampton also competed in track and field in the spring. She placed fourth in both the triple and long jumps at the EPC Championships, was second in the triple jump at districts and qualified for states in the event.

“I first joined track for the same reason a lot of kids do. I wanted to stay in shape,” said Crampton. “But after my first whole season [sophomore year], I absolutely fell in love with the sport. My mom suggested I try the jumping events like she did in high school, and I am so glad I listened.

“Track is a more individual sport than soccer, which was definitely something to get used to, but my teammates and coaches were always so supportive and never failed to get me out of my own head during meets when I thought I was doing bad. I think it was good for me to spread my wings a little and try a different sport. I’ve been playing soccer almost exclusively since I was about 5 years old, so it was a new adventure.”

Aside from her success on the field and track, Crampton worked just as hard in the classroom and it showed, having received the Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar-Athlete award.

“One of the main things my parents and all my coaches have told me throughout my life is that grades come first,” Crampton said. “I have always taken pride in my schoolwork and try to push myself each year with the classes I take. I find that playing a sport helps me stay on track in school, and that taking time to get good grades also helps me perform in sports.

“I was proud of myself when I was named not only my team’s scholar athlete but also LV Scholar-Athlete because I had been working for such a long time to earn it. I remember being at the banquet and almost missing my name being called because my heart was beating so loud in my head. I just wanted my freshman-year self to be proud of senior-year me and all that we had worked for.”

Crampton will be attending DeSales University starting this fall and will be majoring in chemistry with a forensic science track, and is minoring in criminal justice. She will also be a member of the women’s soccer team.

After four years as a Trojan she feels ready to begin her next journey.

“My experience at Parkland was truly one to remember,” said Crampton. “I was so scared coming to such a big school after moving from a small, private elementary and middle school, but Parkland was more than welcoming and was more than I could have asked for. I was constantly pushed in the classroom and on the field to be my best and was lifted up even if I fell a little short. It’s a lot of pressure being a student-athlete at Parkland because it’s known for being a powerhouse in the league, but having my teammates around me always made me feel like winning was not just possible but probable. I loved my time at Parkland and am glad to have been a part of the teams there.”