By: Michael Wayne O’Neill
Sports Editor
Wingate — Saving lives and making everyone better is one of Nicole Cristy’s best qualities as a women’s soccer senior and a nursing student.
Even at times when Nicole (5-foot-4) holds herself to high standards, her teammates and coaches feed off of her personality which contributes to the team’s camaraderie. She brings the same work ethic to the hospital where she draws more inspiration from patients she meets.
“With working on the Oncology, Hematology, and BMT unit at Levine’s Children’s Hospital, my patients inspire me to push myself to my fullest potential, and show up every day with everything I’ve got,” Nicole said. “Seeing how strong my patients are has inspired me to be strong and push myself even on the days where I feel like I can’t.”
Nicole looked up to her mother (Renee) and sister (Mickenzie) as inspiration to follow in their footsteps in soccer. She hones teamwork, communication, and life skills that shape her perspective from her first years kicking a soccer ball.
Nicole later played for Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail, where she helped the Pirates to a 20-4-1 record her freshman year in 2017. It was also at that time that she committed to an offer from Wingate to play soccer.
Mickenzie, also a registered nurse, inspired Nicole to consider nursing before stepping on campus.
“She is killing it currently working in a trauma one center in Charlotte. Her success amazes me. She also encourages me and lets me know I can do anything. She has motivated and supported me through everything. She also has had honest, hard conversations when I’ve needed it which has also helped with my success.”
On the field, Nicole is a three-year starter and made third-team all-SAC as a junior. She also scored a goal in the Bulldogs’ season-opening win at Barton College on Thursday.
Nicole is surrounded by an experienced lineup who became “more clinical in the box” in 2023. Two transfer students and some freshmen came to help Wingate focus on team priorities, which pleases Nicole.
When Nicole graduates in May 2024, she will play one more season for the Bulldogs before hanging up her cleats, thanks to an extra year of eligibility due to COVID. Until that day comes, she wants to be a role model for her teammates and patients who want to follow in her footsteps one day.
“I have formed so many great friendships where we have gone through highs and lows of life, but no matter what we continue to show up every day for each other and work hard,” Cristy said, “A goal I have is to take advantage of every opportunity I get such as making big tackles, finishing the goal if I get the shot, being a good mentor and captain to younger teammates, doing the extra sprint, having a great time, and leaving everything I have on the field with no regrets.”
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