Kaysville native Olivia Wade-Katoa makes history for BYU with Portland's 2nd-round pick

Wade-Katoa will take the next step in her soccer career as the No. 23 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft by the Portland Thorns, announced Friday from Anaheim, California.

All her life, the former Olivia Wade (now Olivia Katoa, or Olivia Wade-Katoa for the moment) dreamed of playing soccer for BYU.

Jennifer Rockwood’s program was on the rise since well before Wade-Katoa arrived on campus in 2018 after leading Davis High in goals for three-straight years, three-straight 5A state championships and a pair of national title recognitions by MaxPreps and USA TODAY Sports.

But starring for the Cougars? That was all gravy for the former United States U-17 international.

Wade-Katoa will take the next step in her soccer career as the No. 23 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft by the Portland Thorns, announced Friday from Anaheim, California.

Wade-Katoa is among the first group of players from BYU drafted in the NWSL since Mikayla Colohan (Cluff) was selected with the No. 14 overall pick by the Orlando Pride in 2021. The list also includes Taylor Isom (Utah Royals FC, 2018), Nadia Gomes (Orlando Pride, 2018), Ashley Hatch (North Carolina Courage, 2017), Michele Vasconcelos (Chicago Red Stars, 2017), Cloee Colohan (Western New York Flash, 2014) and Lindsi LIsonbee Cutshall (Sky Blue FC, 2013).

But Wade-Katoa’s pick was different. After the Utah Royals selected former BYU teammates Brecken Mozingo and Olivia Smith-Griffitts, the attacking midfielder became the third player from Jennifer Rockwood’s program selected in the draft — a program record in the NWSL era.

But the numbers don’t tell the whole story about Wade-Katoa, according to Rockwood.

“Liv Katoa is just the personality, the passion and the heartbeat of our team,” Rockwood told ESPN 960 radio in Utah County. “She’s such a competitor, and she can rally her teammates around her. She started for us in three different positions, and talking with professionals, Liv could play a lot of different places from the back line to up top. She’s got tremendous range and power — but she’s someone who is fun to play with, because she brings such energy and work rate.”

The 5-foot-6 midfielder from Kaysville wrapped up a star-studded career with her second NCAA Women’s College Cup berth in three years, scoring 12 goals with eight assists en route to All-Big 12 second-team and All-Big 12 Tournament honors.

The 2016 Gatorade Utah player of the year and Golden Ball winner at the UYSA national championships, Wade-Katoa had scholarship offers to play for virtually any program in the country. She knows plenty about elite athletics, too; her brother Jesse played basketball at Gonzaga before transferring to BYU, and her husband Tayler (a two-way star at Layton High) played linebacker for USC.

But it was Rockwood’s program — combined with her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — that propelled then-Olivia Wade to BYU with little hesitation.

“The academic, athletic and spiritual environments BYU provides aligned with my personal goals and aspirations,” said Wade-Katoa, who served an 18-month mission for the church in Houston, Texas.

Salt City FC has you covered for every Utah-based player selected in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Check back later at saltcity.soccer for complete coverage from the annual event held during the United Soccer Coaches’ convention in Anaheim, California.