Kristy Frantz Bringing Success to Texas Tech Women's Soccer
June 21, 1999 | Women's Soccer
October 12, 1998
Sujo McKee - Student Assistant, Texas Tech Media Relations - When football is mentioned, one can't help but immediately think of Zach Thomas or Donny Anderson; with basketball, Tony Battie or Bubba Jennings; women's basketball, Sheryl Swoopes. All these athletes have become symbols for their particular sport. In the case of the young Texas Tech women's soccer program, Kristy Frantz will be the name to remember.
Frantz, a junior forward from Alexandria, Va., has certainly put Tech on the right track for a successful program. In only two years and a few games, she is the all-time leading scorer. However, records are irrelevant to her right now, her focus is strictly on helping her team reach the conference tournament.
"I would like for us to have a good season, make it to the tournament and do well at it," Frantz said. "Personally, I want to do what I can to help the team achieve those goals and make everyone out here, including myself a better player."
Frantz's competitiveness and hard work ethics continues to lead to greatness, not only for Frantz personally but also for the team. She currently has five goals, seven assists and 17 points on the season. She has started in all 9 games played thus far. The Red Raiders, returning home after tough losses at Texas and Texas A&M, have an overall record of 3-4-2.
"Everyday, whether it is a game or practice, she comes to play. She is a warrior out there with a refuse-to-lose attitude. I think her attitude has trickled down to the other players on the team. She has helped others step up and take their game to a new level ," Assistant Coach Barb Chura said. "Kristy now has other players surrounding her who can help her score. She can relax and focus on getting the ball in the net or passing it to others who can score."
Last year, Frantz started in all 18 games and recorded a team-high 14 goals. She also recorded team-highs in assists with five and points with 33. Frantz was named to the All-Big 12 third team and the NSCAA Umbro All-Central Region third team, as well as named team MVP for the second year.
Her freshman year set the foundation for her record-breaking stats. Frantz started and played in all 21 games while shattering practically every single-season scoring record. She led the team with 18 goals, eight assists and 44 points. She was named to the All-Big 12 second team, Big 12 Sports Information Directors All-Conference second team, picked to the Soccer Buzz All-Freshman Central Region team as well as chosen as a member of the honorable mention freshman All-America team by Soccer Buzz.
Breaking records and winning accolades are nothing new to this Virginia native. Frantz's high school team was ranked #1 in the Northern Region and she was named first team all-district and all-region as well as second team all-state. During 1995-96, Frantz played for the Braddock Road Lightning team and was selected as State Cup MVP in 1996 for scoring 21 goals and providing 14 assists in one season. She helped lead this team to state championships in 1994 and 1995. The team went on to win first in regionals and third at nationals in 1995.
"When I went recruiting on the east coast, it was the first time I saw Kristy play. I wasn't even out there to look at her, I was watching a Texas team who happened to be playing against Kristy's team," said Chura. "I noticed Kristy then and I got to watch her a second time when I went back to the east coast. She was definitely the best player on the field for her team. She had an unbelievable work ethic and concentration. She really stood out."
Heavily recruited, Frantz chose Texas Tech over 30 universities. Some of the programs she turned down include Wake Forest, Villanova and College of Charleston. She said she mainly chose Tech for its coaching staff and the weather.
"I really liked the entire coaching staff, the environment at Tech and the importance that soccer plays here," Frantz said. "I wanted to go somewhere where I could make an impact, really help change the future of the program."
Playing soccer was nothing new to Frantz. In fact, it was a sport she couldn't help but pick up. Her father played as goalkeeper at the Air Force Academy and began coaching Frantz at age five.
"I've always loved soccer, I can't remember not playing soccer," Frantz said. "I think my love for soccer came from my parents, they were always there for me, and they were my first coaches.
"My mom is my biggest inspiration. She has never played soccer yet she has the most competitive drive of anyone I know. When I was younger, she was always pushing me to do my best. If it wasn't for her pushing me, I wouldn't be where I am today," said Frantz.
One of the biggest adversities Frantz had to overcome was moving thousands of miles away from home and from her parents.
"My parents were at everything, every club game, any game, I always knew I would have two fans in the stands no matter what. It's been hard to get used to looking up there and not seeing two familiar faces," Frantz said.
If one were to meet Frantz off the field after watching her perform on the field, they might be in for a surprise. Her on the field tactics are quite contrasting to her off the field manner. Most regard her as a warrior, taking out anyone who gets in her way. However, off the field, Frantz remains quiet and pretty reserved.
"Once you get to know her, she comes out of her shell," roommate and teammate Kellie McCallister said. "But on the soccer field, she just shows us everything she can do. She's a totally different person. We all count on her to put the ball in the net. She's a leader. Of course, when she puts the ball in the net, she boosts all our confidence and gets us going."
Like most athletes who hope to continue their careers, Frantz dreams of playing on the USA soccer team in the Olympics. She attended the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and watched the USA soccer team play for the gold medal. That was one moment Frantz will never forget.
"You could see their passion for the game when they were out there playing, knowing they were playing for their country and giving a 110%," Frantz said. "It made me want to train harder and try my best always, no matter what, to get up to the same level as them. It was quite a rush."
Although majoring in general business, Frantz plans to coach upon graduation. She has always admired all her coaches and feels she could share her knowledge with others and help those who are still learning.
Luckily for the Red Raider soccer program, Frantz will be around for two more years. By that time, she may not only leave as the all-time leading scorer, but also have a few more records with her name beside them.
"Years from now, we'll be able to look back and say that Frantz was one of the key players who helped put TexasTech on the map," Chura said. "She is definitely a cornerstone in taking our program from where it was to where it is now."