Fab Five: Kate Hottinger

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Photographs have the ability to capture important pieces of our past and help us recall people, places, feelings, and memories that made an impact on our lives. For many scholar-athletes, pictures secure those special moments and assist in making their collegiate careers last forever.

In a feature called “Fab Five”, Triton scholar-athletes are tasked to pick five of their favorite photos to be highlighted on UCSDtritons.com. 

Today, rising senior Kate Hottinger from the women's soccer team shares her favorite pics.

Last season – the program's first competing in NCAA Division I – Hottinger played in 16 matches and tallied a career-high 1,067 minutes on the pitch, primarily as a midfielder. In her freshman season, Hottinger notched her first career goal, the game-winner, in the Tritons' one-nil victory over then-conference rival Chico State. She was a Big West Academic Honor roll selection last season and she earned a CCAA All-Academic nod in 2019. 

Kate is an international business major in UC San Diego's Muir College.

1. Hype for Game Time!

I love this picture because it shows how motivated and excited we are as a team right before we step on the field. Our final cheer is where we get to release all of the nerves and excitement before we play and this picture definitely captures that feeling.

2. Thankful for the Support

This picture is one of my favorites because it was the first game my mom got to see in person after COVID-19. I remember feeling so grateful and ecstatic when they called my name out for the starting line-up, I immediately found my mom in the crowd and seeing her there overwhelmed me with joy.

3. Putting in the Work

This action shot is from one of our pre-game warm ups. The volley portion of our warm-up is always my favorite part because you know it's almost time for the game to start and the excitement is building.

4. On the Move

I love this picture because it shows me doing what I do best, which is driving up the field. Since I play a more defensive position, getting the opportunity to drive at players is something that excites me and makes me feel confident as a player, and I think this picture captures that.

5. The Family Bond

Last but not least, this is my favorite picture. I love the team in this picture because we went through so much as a team this year. We faced some serious challenges on and off the field in our first year at the D1 level. Despite the obstacles, it made us stronger and formed a bond between all of us that has never made me feel more loved and supported.

Check back on UCSDTritons.com all summer for future editions of “Fab Five” from other UC San Diego scholar-athletes. Previous “Fab Five” entries are below.

2022

• Katja Pavicevic (Swimming & Diving)
• Deena Pederson (Softball)
• Manuel Augusto (Men's Water Polo)
• Sam Feinberg (Men's Rowing)
• Ava McInnes (Women's Volleyball)
• Adee Newman (Track and Field)
• Jake Kosakowski (Men's Basketball)
• Rachel Wagner (Women's Tennis)
• Matt Palma (Men's Volleyball)
• Nick Cirrito (Men's Soccer)

2020
• Sergi Mata (Men's Golf)
• Gabe Hadley (Men's Basketball)
• Jonathan Sabouri (Men's Soccer)
• Grace Murphy (Swimming & Diving)
• Collin Shannon (Men's Volleyball)
• Cindy Tran (Women's Volleyball)
• Jake Selstad (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field)
• Calder Hilde-Jones (Men's Water Polo)
• Anu Bhadada (Women's Tennis)
• Natalie Widmer (Women's Soccer)
• Konami Masui (Women's Fencing)
• Sarah Proctor (Women's Rowing)
• Neil Tengbumroong (Men's Tennis)
• Cameron Leonard (Baseball)
• Isabel Lavrov (Softball)
• Zeinab Torabi (Women's Track & Field)
 

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.