Kyle Milligan 
Former Stillwater High School soccer and football standout Keelyn Peacock joined The Section 2 Show podcast on episode five to discuss her experience being on the high school football team and her journey to becoming a Division 1 soccer player at Arkansas State University.
Peacock graduated early from Stillwater High School to get a head start this year at Arkansas State University.
Peacock’s spring waiver to compete in the spring was denied by the NCAA. Due to the decision of allowing seniors to stay at college and not count last year’s season towards their athletic eligibility, Peacock will have to wait another semester to play games at the college level.
The NCAA’s decision to hold Peacock and others out for the unusual season was based on it being a “recruiting advantage”. Although Peacock will miss the spring season, soccer is a fall sport and she will be ready to go once the fall season rolls around later this year.
Peacock and the Stillwater Warriors girls soccer team won two state championships and were looking forward to the chance of winning another one this past season before it was cancelled due to COVID. When I asked Peacock what it takes to be a state champion she responded simply, “Work.”
“We put in a lot of work to get those two state championships. And I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to do it with,” said Peacock.
Peacock finished first-team all-state from the freshman-junior year. She was selected co-player of the year in 2020. And was awarded defensive player of the year 2018. Peacock ranks third in New York State for assists in a season.
Peacock began to play football in her junior season. Believe it or not, it all started as a joke. At her brother’s soccer practice, two ball boys were joking around with Peacock and wanted to see her kick a football. “We were just joking around and next thing you know I’m at the 40 and the coaches are calling me over,” said Peacock.
Peacock opened up about her experiences being the only female on the team and how she handled it. “Overall it was pretty positive. You know there’s always going to be those few people who degrade you for your decisions and how you play,” said Peacock. “You shrug it off and use it as motivation and inspiration to be better. It’s the jealousy that keeps you going.”
Peacock credited her teammates on the Stillwater football team for having her back. “I had a bunch of older brothers on the team. They were awesome to have, they protected me in every situation.”
When I asked Peacock about the possibility of kicking for the football team at Arkansas State University she responded, “I would definitely consider it that would be pretty awesome. But I think they’re pretty set.”
To hear more from Peacock on her experience in high school athletics and her future on the women’s soccer team at Arkansas State University listen to episode five of The Section 2 Show located on our website.
Cooper Priamo 
