Laura Koontz excelled for Wheaton on the soccer field and on the track. She twice earned All-America recognition from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). She was a Third Team All-America honoree in 2005 and in 2006 she was honored as a First Team All-American and named the Division III Women's Soccer Player of the Year by the (NSCAA).A three-time First Team All-CCIW selection, Koontz was honored as the conference's "Player of the Year" in 2006.
Koontz helped lead Wheaton to two NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championships in her time on the pitch. The North Carolina native was a key part in helping Wheaton to its first National Championship in women's soccer in 2004 in Greensboro. She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2004 Division III Championship. She scored four goals, with five assists in the 2004 season, including one goal and one assist in the postseason. As a midfielder in 2006 she set a then-school record with 17 assists in helping Wheaton to its second National Championship with a 24-2-0 record.
Laura played in 117 matches for the Thunder women's soccer team in her career with 18 goals and 35 assists. Her 35 assists was third in the Wheaton record books at the time of her graduation and is currently sixth all-time among Wheaton players.
Laura also competed in track and field, setting a school record in the 400-meter dash and she qualified for Nationals in the event. She also was a member of a school record unit in the 4X400-meter relay.
Laura reflects, "A favorite memory would have to be winning our program's first National Championship in my hometown, in a stadium I grew up playing and watching elite teams compete on. Being able to do that there with my teammates and surrounded by my family was surreal."
"I learned that true leadership requires a servant and humble heart. Wheaton Athletics truly taught me to play for a greater purpose than myself or any achievements I could be awarded. My time with the Wheaton women's soccer team gave me the opportunity to learn how to be competitive, yet humble, and Christ-like in everything we do while we compete. Learning to play with the mindset that it is not what 'I' can do on the field, but what can He do through me," recalls Laura.
Laura graduated from Wheaton with a Bachelor's Degree in Studio Art in 2007. Following her graduation she spent time on the coaching staff at Virginia Wesleyan University and Trinity University (Texas). Today, she and her husband Jeff reside in Virginia with their three children: Levi, Wyatt and Harper.
She is joined in the Hall of Honor by her brother, Brian Koontz. Brian, a 2004 Wheaton graduate and men's soccer All-American was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2019.
