From the track to the pitch, Razorback Anna Podojil just wins

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) – It’s a privilege for any athlete at Arkansas to be a part of one elite programs. It’s next to unheard of to be apart of two.

For Anna Podojil, one of the best soccer players in Arkansas program history, it’s just a regular day in her life.

Pododjil initially came to Colby Hale’s soccer program back in 2019 to be a part of one of the best soccer programs in the SEC. While she was on the Hill for soccer, running track for the Hogs was always on her mind.

“I started running as a little kid,” Podojil said. “I talked to coach Johnson my freshman year and he said that at the time I ran in high school, I would possibly be able to score for the team… I think I kind of proved myself early on, which helped me loop back around and do it again.”

During her high school track years, the Cincinnati native won the 2019 state championship in the 400 meter and the 4×400 meter relay, setting a state record at the time. Coming from a track family, it was important for Podojil and her siblings to run.

When it came time to chose one sport in college, the decision to stick with soccer wasn’t hard when dealing with the difficult COVID-19 rules in college athletics. Thus, Podojil had to pause her track career for a few years.

“The recruiting process for soccer started so early,” Podojil added. “I committed [to Arkansas] when I was a freshman in high school. So that almost just kind of closed the opportunity to even think about track because I wasn’t getting offers for track until later in high school.”

The soccer route went pretty well for the former four time All-SEC first teamer. Not only does Podojil lead the Arkansas program in points and assists, but also in goals and game winning goals.

After a torn ACL derailed the end of her career in the SEC championship game against Georgia back in 2023, she was drafted in the third round of the NWSL draft by the Washington Spirit. Podojil decided to do her rehab in Fayetteville and always had an inkling to get back to the track.

“I was glad that it worked out and it was awesome,” Podojil told PTN. “It’s a lot of girls dreams to play at the next level, and I think I was part of the last official draft class for the NWSL. So that was cool.”

Once her rehab was over and she was back to 100%, it was time to hit the track once again. The transition to the top ranked women’s team was not as daunting as it may have seemed for Podojil after playing under head soccer coach Colby Hale for five years. She saw plenty of similarities between Hale and women’s track and field head coach Chris Johnson.

“They take pride in winning and being the best,” Podojil added. “They’re different people completely… but I would say they both just like gritty, hardworking athletes.”

That was no problem for Podojil, a person willing to go the extra mile to be the best she can be. Yet being on the track with Olympians and some of the best runners in the country, Podojil knows the sky is the limit for Arkansas.

“It’s pretty cool,” Podojil said. “Some of them are now my friends. Keep improving every week and obviously help the team win an SEC championship and a national championship.”