For junior Katherine Welch, playing soccer came as naturally to her as walking.
Growing up in Ada, Michigan, Welch was one of nine kids in her family, six of whom were brothers who also played soccer, so Welch touched a soccer ball as soon as she learned how to walk.
Welch discussed the influence her soccer-playing brothers had on her as a child.
“I learned a lot from my older brothers growing up,” Welch said. “I wanted to do what they did, so I was touching a soccer ball as I was growing up. We all played soccer with each other growing up, and they’re a huge inspiration to me.”
Welch’s recruiting story is different from most Big Rapids athletes. In her junior year of high school, Welch went to soccer camps where she met Ferris State soccer head coach Greg Hensen, who emailed her about Ferris. Welch wasn’t interested in Ferris State until she received the email from Hensen. Welch went on only one college visit, and that was to Ferris State. She loved Hensen’s mentality, and loved that Ferris State wasn’t too big, nor too small.
Having arrived at Ferris State and completed her junior year, Welch has loved being in Big Rapids. Studying Sports Communication, Welch loves that she doesn’t have huge lecture halls, which allows her to get to know her professors, who are very considerate of her schedule.
On the soccer field, Welch loves her team and appreciates having 33 built-in friends who all understand each other and what they are going through.
Senior defender Bella Vallone highlighted the type of player Welch is on and off the field.
“Katherine is a great leader on and off the field,” Vallone said. “She’s a friend to everyone on the team and is someone everyone on the team, including myself, can look up to for her kindness, but also her ability to be a strong and gritty leader on the field. As a player, Katherine is a non-stop hard worker. She turns half-chances into scoring opportunities by just outworking the other team. She’s one of the quickest players I’ve played with, and she uses it to her advantage. Along with being quick, she also has amazing technical skills and will dribble past the whole team if we allow it.”
In the 2024 season, Welch tied the team with five goals and led the team with six assists, 16 points, and 47 shots with 18 shots on goal, which was second on the team. Welch also scored two game-winners last season, the most on the team. While in her career at Ferris, Welch has been awarded First Team All-GLIAC twice and was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year in 2023.
Senior forward Haley Buckman added to the type of person Welch is.
“Katherine is the type of player every team hopes to have,” Buckman said. On the field, she’s incredibly competitive and sets the standard with her work rate, focus, and consistency. She’s composed under pressure and always finds a way to elevate the players around her, whether that’s through her communication, smart decision-making, or simply leading by example. Off the field, Katherine is just as impactful. She’s approachable, supportive, and makes everyone feel valued, no matter their role on the team. As a leader, she’s someone we all trust.”
Going into her junior year, Welch talked about what she wants to get out of her third collegiate year.
“I want to get the whole team to the tournament and win the championship,” Welch said. “I haven’t experienced it, so get everyone, including me, to win it. We need to showcase each other’s ability to win.”
Welch and the Bulldogs start GLIAC play on Friday, Sept. 19, at home against rival Davenport University.