Catching up with Cowgirl Soccer. Former Wyoming student-athlete Abbey Armijo was a three-year letterwinner and forward for the Cowgirls from 2011-15. She was a part of 41 wins over her career including 12 wins in 2011, which is tied for the best in school history. That team also reached the Mountain West Conference tournament championship match.  Graduating with a degree in elementary education in 2016 while receiving her master's degree in 2019, she is currently a first grade teacher at Cholla Elementary School in Arizona. She also coaches seventh grade girls' basketball and soccer. Media Relations recently caught up with her to see what's been going on.

What steps did you take to get into your current career field?  I had always worked well with children and wanted to have a career that really influenced them in a positive way. That is when I settled on Early Childhood Education. I completed my student teaching in Sheridan, Wyo. and then participated in the UW Teacher Job Fair which is where I found my current employers. They were such a great and positive team and it made it an easy decision to move from my home state to Casa Grande, Ariz.

How did your involvement in athletics aid in the path that you chose following graduation? Being a teacher, you have to be able to work well with others and also be willing to learn and grow. Education is always changing and there is always something new to learn. Being an athlete, I learned how important it is to work together, especially in difficult situations. I also learned that you have to be flexible and driven to really reach your goals. I am so grateful for being involved in athletics. It definitely made me the teacher and coworker I am today!

What piece of advice would you give current student-athletes? My dad came up with a quote that really stuck with me even now as an educator. Play hard, have fun, and good things will happen. If you work hard with school and enjoy your time at Wyoming, you will reach your goals!

What is your fondest memory of playing at the University of Wyoming? I truly enjoyed my time at UW and found some lifelong friends that have truly become my family. One of my favorite memories playing at UW was a home game against Colorado College my senior year. Wyoming is my home state and playing at Louis S. Madrid had always been a dream of mine. Our fan support was incredible and we won by one goal, 3-2. It was such an exciting game and it was so fun to play in front of a full crowd at home, including my parents, and winning such a close game!

How did your previous coaches influence you? All of my coaches influenced me in such a positive way. They all taught me to come every day ready to work. I am now a 7^th grade coach and to this day still think well what would Coach say to me right now.