Shannon Catchur is one of the best players from the Chicago, Illinois area in the Class of 2020.
The 5-foot-9, 150-pound Catchur, who attends Valparaiso High School, is a dynamic player that works as a target forward and center midfielder.
Catchur, who plays for the Indiana Elite FC, has earned plenty of recognition during her outstanding career, such as: soccer varsity letter (2017-2018), basketball varsity letter (2017) Academic varsity Letter (2016-2017), and participated in the Indiana North vs. South Elite event.
Catchur is humbled by the accolades.
“The recognition for the North vs. South game meant a great deal to me. It was a fantastic opportunity that allowed me to play with the best of the best in Indiana. Receiving varsity letters for two different sports and my academic accomplishments have been very rewarding. Knowing that I have the drive and motivation to receive the grades that I do and accept academic letters is exciting and relieving. After all I am a STUDENT-athlete,” Catchur said. “In the North vs. South, not only did I get to experience playing with some quality athletes, but I also got to meet some amazing friends.”
No matter the opponent, every match Catchur is determined to give it her all.
Catchur is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever Catchur steps between the lines.
“The mindset going into a game playing target forward is to be able to receive the ball at my feet and hold off the defender while allowing the play to build around me. I have to know my surroundings and play with my back to the goal,” Catchur said. “When I am playing center midfield, my mindset is to make sure to play both offense and defense and to always be an option on both ends of the field.”
Catchur has great passion and energy whenever she’s on the field. Catchur tells why she enjoys the game of soccer so much.
“I love the feeling when you make a great connection with a teammate or when you score an amazing goal and create an outstanding opportunity,” Catchur said.
Catchur has learned many valuable lessons from playing soccer that she applies to her everyday life.
The main one is applying perspective to all situations.
“Soccer has taught me to never give up on something or someone and to always keep pushing yourself to be the best,” Catchur said.
Catchur recalls her favorite soccer memory.
“My favorite memory of playing soccer is when my sister and I were little and we were playing soccer at the Boys and Girls Club. We were playing this one team and halfway through the game, their coach comes up to our coach and says that they need to split us up,” Catchur said. “He says that the game is unfair because my sister and I are on the same team. And so we ended up playing each other even though we were on the same team.”
Semir Mesanovic has been Catchur’s coach for the Indiana Elite for the last two years.
Mesanovic explains the best parts of Catchur’s game.
“She’s very competitive with a great work ethic. She gets plenty of assists and holds the ball for teammates and scores goals,” Mesanovic said. “She can help the team defend and protect the lead.”
Catchur takes her role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. Catchur makes sure she’s a daily positive influence on her peers.
“How I demonstrate being a good teammate is by supporting and encouraging them to play their best and to try their hardest. Every practice, every game i always try my best and try to set a good example for everyone else to follow. Not only do I try to be a good teammate but a friend as well,” Catchur said. “I tell them to never give up and to always try your best.”
Mesanovic adds that Catchur is one of those consummate teammates that every squad needs to be successful.
“She leads by example on and off the field,” Mesanovic said. “That attitude has a contagious effect on the rest of the team. She’s like an extension of the coaching staff on the field.”
Catchur is appreciative of having amazing male role models that are supportive.
“I’ve learned to just be myself and to always try to do my best and work hard to become the best I can be,” Catchur said. “To never get down on myself and to always hold my head high.”
Mesanovic is an advocate of Catchur’s capabilities.
“She helped current MRL team reach MRL status play and reached finals of President’s Cup, and scored and assisted on goals to help team play over the years at highest level regionally,” Mesanovic said.
In addition to making clutch plays, Catchur also has a high level of soccer IQ as well.
Catchur has excellent awareness that puts her in position to thrive.
“She helps teammates to build up plays, is a very unselfish teammate and also scores,” Mesanovic said.
Catchur is on the grind to perfect and hone her craft in any way possible.
“She trains like she plays in games, is very competitive, she does runs track and plays soccer yearly and has a great work ethic,” Mesanovic said. “She’s a very smart player.”
Catchur greatly admires these standouts.
“I look up to Alex Morgan at my position because she always knows where she is at on the field and she is so good at working off her teammates,” Catchur said. “Also, I look up to Sarah Gorden, even though she does not play forward. She is my cousin and being related to someone who plays pro soccer is a great inspiration.”
Catchur is constantly striving for greatness in everything that she does.
“My goal off the field is to continue my education. My goal on the field is to be the best athlete i could possibly be,” Catchur said. “For both on/off the field, I want to always support my friends and family and to always be there in times of need.”
Catchur wants to continue playing soccer in the Midwest at the collegiate level.
“My dream college is either Indiana University or Northwestern University,” Catchur said. “Both have phenomenal medical programs and high standards.”
Catchur lists Biology as her favorite subject in school.
“I find the genetics and structures of our bodies fascinating,” Catchur said.
Mesanovic believes Catchur is determined take her game to the next level.
“She is working to improve fitness levels to become a high level status athlete,” Mesanovic said. “I am confident she will improve in these categories and become even more potent as a player.”
Mesanovic believes the sky is the limit as long as Catchur continues to stay hungry.
“She has the potential to play high level college and beyond. She has work ethic and desire to reach the level,” Mesanovic said. “She pays attention to detail and is hungry to succeed.”
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