A key figure in Seattle’s soccer scene, Justi Baumgardt began her career at Federal Way High School, where she earned All-South Puget Sound League first-team honors each season. She led her team to two state championships and one second-place finish, earning SPSL MVP titles in both her junior and senior years. Baumgardt also guided Federal Way to two consecutive No. 1 national rankings by USA Today and set school records for career goals (98) and assists (50). 

Justi then moved to the University of Portland on a full-ride scholarship, where she played for four years and led her team to three NCAA Final Fours and one national championship game. She was a three-time All-American and a two-time finalist for the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top collegiate player. She also earned multiple West Coast Conference honors, including Freshman of the Year, Player of the Year in 1996, and first-team selections all four years. Justi captained her team twice and was a three-time MVP. 

In addition to her athletic achievements, Justi was an Academic All-American in 1998 and 1999, and she was named one of the top-50 student-athletes in the history of the West Coast Conference. In 2005, she became the first female soccer player inducted into the University of Portland Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Justi also earned a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Team, training and playing with stars like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain over seven seasons. She was drafted by the Washington Freedom in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), where she played for three seasons with the Freedom and New York Power before finishing her playing career with the Seattle Sounders Women. 

After retiring, Justi transitioned to coaching, leading high-performance teams to Surf Cup Championships, multiple state titles, and two ECNL Final Four appearances. She has coached players who went on to successful NCAA careers and helped develop several Youth National Team players. Justi also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-14 Girls National Team. 

A respected personal trainer, Justi specializes in developing young soccer players’ agility, ball control, and game awareness. She is known for her ability to identify and enhance players' strengths while addressing their weaknesses, earning a reputation as one of the best trainers in the Pacific Northwest. 

Justi’s coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, teamwork, leadership, and creativity. As she puts it, "the work is done on the weekdays," and she encourages individual creativity and decision-making on match day, with teams playing "possession with purpose." 

Justi’s husband, Tote, and their two sons, Caden and Carson, are all passionate soccer players.