OLYMPIA, Wash. – Marty Burton (Jr., D) from The Evergreen State College women's soccer team is the Evergreen Featured Athlete of the Week for September 18, 2025. Prior to joining the Geoducks, Burton played soccer at Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska.

Burton has become a steadying force on Evergreen's backline. She has played in 32 career games while making 27 starts. She provides several key skills for the Geoducks.

My top strengths are communication, bringing a positive high energy to activities, staying calm on the ball, and finding long through-balls," Burton commented.
Her ability to provided lengthy passes from the defensive end of the field helps the Geoducks avoid pressure from the opposing team's attackers. In addition to helping on the defensive end, Burton also can contribute on offense. And she is a team captain.

"Being named captain this current season as well as scoring the first goal for our team this year (in a scrimmage game) were great personal achievements," Burton said. "Focusing on the team, my favorite moment when Alex Foley scored the game-tying goal against Northwest University in the last minute-and-a-half (in 2024). It made me proud to show that our team works hard until the last whistle even if we are down a goal."

Burton arrived at Evergreen after playing high school soccer in Alaska. She had several reasons for choosing Evergreen and the women's soccer team.

"I wanted to go somewhere that was close enough to home while still being different enough to find new experiences," Burton noted. "I met the team during the summer of my junior year in high school, and I fell in love with the campus. I was really drawn to join a building program. Being able to put work into the team and program not only for my season but for seasons to come really excited me.

"I also love the no-grade detail of Evergreen as a student who stressed over letter grades throughout high school," Burton continued. "I hoped that it would let me find a better balance between school and extracurriculars."

Once she arrived at Evergreen, she found many new friends on the soccer team. Now, it's a couple of years later, and those friendships have grown.

"I've gained some of my closest friends through this team, and it is a great feeling knowing that I have an entire team that supports me whether it's on or off the field. It's genuinely an honor to get to play on a college team with other amazing players who challenge me at every practice."
Away from soccer and the classroom, Burton works in Olympia and keeps busy outdoors. She also participates in several hobbies.

"I currently work at Stone Creek Pizza and at the YMCA doing before school and after school childcare," Burton said. "I enjoy doing anything outside, like camping, hiking, and fishing to name a few. I also have a big passion for anything craft related. Right now, I'm really into collaging and water coloring."

Like many college students, Burton arrived at Evergreen with one career plan and has changed to another. Her academic efforts in college have helped develop her future plans.

"I came into Evergreen wanting to go into athletic training, but as I've studied, I've found a passion in veterinary medicine. I'm studying to get a Bachelor of Science so I can go to veterinary school after I graduate."