March 28, 2024

Pettigrew to play NCAA DI soccer for Sycamores

Kloe Pettigrew made her decision back in November. The Newton High senior signed a national letter of intent to play NCAA Division I soccer next year for Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.

“I narrowed it down to two places and when I was touring the Indiana State campus, I really loved it there. I met with the coaches and team players,” Pettigrew said.

On Nov. 13, Indiana State women’s soccer head coach Julie Hanley announced the signing of eight student-athletes and Pettigrew was among those. Hanley, who served as an assistant coach at Iowa for four years, has been the Sycamores’ head coach for five years.

“We are extremely excited with the make-up of our National Signing Day class,” Hanley said in the Indiana State November release. “This class will mesh well with our returnees and addresses needs we have at certain positions. Each of our signees is poised to come in and compete for playing time right away. I am excited about the nucleus of talent we will have on board in 2020.”

Pettigrew is a 5-foot-5 defender or “outside back” who has been playing soccer for 15 years. She has played in club soccer through the Iowa Rush Soccer Club programs out of Ankeny for about nine years, Pettigrew said.

“I played Iowa Rush soccer in the fall and spring until I reached high school. I played on a high school club team during the fall but with high school soccer season in the spring, there was no club team play in the spring for me here in Iowa,” Pettigrew said. “I’ve played spring soccer on a club team in Minnesota.”

Pettigrew was named team captain of her Iowa Rush team for the 2019-20 season. She’s played on the three-time Iowa State Cup Champion team.

“At outside back, I get to defend as well as attack with the ball at times. I really like getting up the field as much as I can and maybe delivering some crosses to teammates,” Pettigrew said. “Indiana State recruited me as a defender.

“I’m excited to help however I can and in whatever role they need me in on the field. I’ve played midfield in the past, but I love defending our goal.”

Pettigrew said she’s been using a workout sent to her by Indiana State. She said she has Zoom meetings with the Sycamore team. During the coronavirus quarantine, Pettigrew said she has been running fitness every day, most of the week she’s getting touches on her ball at a park and lifting with various objects in her house.

“I’ve always loved the game of soccer and it is my favorite sport. I’m excited about the next chapter for me in the sport,” Pettigrew said.

Pettigrew will pursue a degree in biology at Indiana State.

She is the daughter of Beth and Andy Powell and Larry Pettigrew, all of Ankeny.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com