Contrary to her surname, there is nothing brief about Casey Short’s resume. Compelled by an incomparable inner drive, Short lives, quite literally, on the run.Short first ran her way into the spotlight as an accomplished Redhawk track star. A two-time state champion in the 800m run (2006, 2007) and a state champion in the 400m dash (2007), Short wears the 3-time-state-titlist crown humbly. She remembers, “My favorite track memory was the experience of going to State – the bus ride down, hanging out with teammates, the competition….but specifically in 2007 because I wasn’t very keen on running both the 400 and 800, as there wasn’t much time in between them. I’m thankful that Coach [Mike] Stine encouraged me and gave me the confidence that I could do it.” Chicago Tribune reporter Alan Sutton countered Short’s humility with the awe shared by all who witnessed her feats, writing, “She became the first girl in Class AA track history to win an almost unheard-of double: the 800 and 400 meters. It's a difficult double because, at the state track finals, not much recovery time is scheduled after the 800 […] Only one other girl in state history […] managed to win both races. Even so, after winning the metric half-mile in 2:11.33, Short took the 400 in 55.97 seconds.” Though she loved track, Short wanted to play soccer for her school, not just for her club. While the shift caused stirs in both the track and field and soccer worlds, Short was thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue her “#1 passion” with the Redhawks, a chance that “really meant a lot to [her].” High school head coach Ed Watson shared, “I think the thing that impressed me most about Casey during her high school career was how she was able to keep herself grounded. With multiple individual state championships and multiple invitations to attend U.S. National team training sessions, she was one of the most humble athletes I have ever had the pleasure to have coached. Casey found the good in each of her teammates and her love for playing the game of soccer was infectious.” Short earned recognition as a 2008 Parade All-American, a two-time NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-American, a four-time Illinois State Cup champion, and a top rated soccer recruit in 2008, according to the Chicago Sun Times. She was equally focused on academics, a consistent 4.0 High Honor Roll student and Illinois State Scholar.While Short’s high school years were full of amazing achievements, Short found even greater success at Florida State University. She made an immediate impression in her freshman season, kicking her way on to a spot on the All-ACC Freshman Team, the Soccer Buzz Southeast Region All-Freshman Team, and the Soccer America Freshman All-American Second Team. Short was one of three Seminole freshmen to play in every game, making 18 of 23 starts and playing over 1,500 minutes in her first collegiate season. Over the course of her soccer career at FSU, Short battled back after injury to lead her fellow Seminoles, eagerly tackling roles as defender, midfielder and forward. Though a formidable scoring force, Short’s play was always team-oriented, and she graduated tied for first in career assists in ACC play with 11. Equally committed to the college classroom as she was to competitive play, Short earned repeated spots on both the FSU Dean’s and President’s lists and was a four-time ACC Academic Honor Roll Honoree. She made the All-ACC Academic Team (2010), the NSCAA South Scholar All-Region First Team (2010, 2012), the NSCAA Scholar All-American Second Team (2012), and the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District IV First Team (2012). As Short commented in a 2009 interview with Daily Herald columnist Dave Oberhelman, "I think the biggest thing is just to stay focused to your sport and staying on top academically, because at times it's hard to stay focused. And to remember your future in life, where you want to go and what you want to be." Future-focused, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and her Master’s degree in Sport Management, all while passionately pursuing her soccer goals. Though fiercely loyal to her Redhawk and Seminole teams, Short’s love for the game also led her to countless opportunities worldwide. Her passport and her career statistics are full of global stamps. A veteran of five national teams upon entering college, she was a pool player for the U-14 U.S. National Team and participated with the U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 U.S. National Teams. As a member of the 2009 U-20 squad, she started all three games for Team USA at the 10 Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain, tallying three points on a goal and an assist, scoring the only goal in a 1-1 tie against France. Her U-20 team captured gold at the CONCACAF Qualifier, earning an automatic berth in the FIFA World Cup where Short started two matches for the U.S. and played the full 90 minutes against Trinidad and Tobago, thus earning the starting nod in the finals against Mexico. Already a veteran of so many teams, Short was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Boston Breakers in the 2013 NWSL Draft. While an injury kept her sidelined from immediate play in the NWSL, Short found a home in Norway, making the short list for 2015 Defender of the Year in Toppserien, Norway’s top women’s football league. She earned a selection to the best eleven of the Norwegian topflight, an honor born from her standout play at left back that helped Avaldnes IL make it to the title match. Though she loved the diversity of her experiences in Norway, she is thrilled to be returning home to join NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars. As she told interviewer Gunnar Berndt, “The moment I signed, I was so excited. It’s a dream come true to have things come full circle and be playing minutes from my house, from where I grew up, in front of my family and friends.”It seems fitting that the former track star would find her way back home, with all things coming full circle. As she waits to lace up her cleats as a Red Star, Short is especially aware of the beginnings of this endurance race she’s found herself on. She reflects, “The best advice I would share with current student athletes is the importance of never giving up on your dreams. If you are willing to work hard enough, I believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. The path to success looks nothing like you could ever imagine. You have to be willing to get back up each and every time you are knocked down.” Casey is currently a member of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. She received her first cap on November 19, 2016.Welcome home, Casey Short. Your fans have lined the curve and they can’t wait to cheer your next laps.