Liz Heaston facts for kids

Elizabeth Heaston Thompson (born 1977) is an American athlete who made history! She was the very first woman to score points in a college football game. This amazing moment happened on October 18, 1997. Liz was a placekicker for the Willamette Bearcats football team at Willamette University. At that time, Willamette played in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which is for smaller colleges. Besides football, Liz was also a talented soccer player for Willamette, playing as a defender. Her incredible achievement was celebrated by many news outlets and sports fans everywhere.

Liz Heaston's Amazing Journey

Liz Heaston grew up in Richland, Washington. After finishing high school, she went to Willamette University. There, she became a fantastic soccer player. She was even recognized as an All-American honorable mention in both 1996 and 1997. This means she was one of the best college soccer players in the country!

In 1997, Liz decided to try out for the football team. She joined as a backup placekicker. On October 18, 1997, she made history. During a game between Willamette and Linfield College, Liz became the first woman to play and score points in a college football game.

Making History on the Field

Liz, who was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 120 pounds, entered the game when Willamette needed a kicker. She successfully kicked two extra points! Her team won the game 27-0. This amazing accomplishment made headlines. Liz was even interviewed on popular TV shows like The Today Show and CBS This Morning.

Liz's football career was short, lasting only two games. She made two out of four extra point attempts. Today, her jersey is proudly displayed at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Life After Football

The year after her football debut, Liz focused only on soccer at Willamette. She graduated in 1999 with a degree in biology. Later, she went to graduate school at Pacific University. There, she earned a special degree to become an eye doctor (optometrist). She also met her husband, Trent Thompson, at Pacific University.

Liz and Trent have a daughter named Isabella and a son. They live and work in Liz's hometown of Richland, Washington. Liz works at her father's optometry office, and her husband works there too.

See also

• 1997 Linfield vs. Willamette football game
• Tonya Butler, the first female to score a field goal in an NCAA game
• Sarah Fuller, the first woman to score in a Power Five conferences football game
• Katie Hnida, the first woman to score in a Division I-A game
• Ashley Martin, the first female to score in an NCAA game, and the first to score in a Division I game
• Haley Van Voorhis, the first female to play a non-kicking position in an NCAA game at any level
• List of female American football players