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For WBHS kids, a drive to play soccer
by Tyler O’Neil · Sports · March 21, 2007
Soccer is one of the most popular international sports in existence and although West Branch High School does not have a team of its own, there will be several students from WBHS playing soccer this spring as members of Solon and West Liberty’s soccer programs.
Much like cross-country in the fall, West Branch does not have a large enough group of kids interested in soccer to field its own team. Thus, West Branch gives student-athletes the option to play on other local high school teams.
“It’s really sweet because you aren’t treated any differently,” said senior Andy Fuller. “They accept you as part of the team.”
West Branch players have not only assimilated into the Solon and West Liberty soccer programs but they have also contributed significantly. West Branch supplies numerous players to West Liberty’s fledgling, 3-year-old program. West Branch boys help fill out the Solon soccer program and also provide the team with talented varsity players. Regardless of impact, however, there are only about a dozen West Branch soccer players.
“All we have come up with is a few players each year,” said Lynnette Poula, Athletic Director. Poula cites several reasons for low participation. First, West Branch offers two other spring sports, track and golf, and they attract a majority of students’ attention. Secondly, students must commute daily in order to get to off-campus practices, and that deters some students from pursuing soccer.
West Branch’s male soccer players have to commute 19 miles to get to Solon’s practice field. Solon took on its first West Branch players over five years ago and the team has developed into quite a force. Last year, the Spartans tied for second place in their conference.
“This year we want to win conference,” said junior captain Lyle Gardner.
Fuller agrees that Solon “could really do it this year. Regina was a powerhouse last year but they have lost some players.”
The West Liberty girls soccer team does not have quite the lofty goals that the Spartans do. The program is new and the team simply hopes to win a game or two this season. The program continues to grow at West Liberty and there will be more returning players this year than any other year thus far. The team formed in 2005 and from the start, it had several West Branch girls within its ranks.
“I think we have had a big impact on the team, our girls have played on varsity,” said senior Emily Hemingway. Hemingway first started playing soccer as an Iowa City Kicker in elementary school and she was one of the original players on the Belles team when it started two years ago. This year eight West Branch girls have joined the team, up from four last year.
“I used to play when I was younger and I would like to see if I still like it,” said junior Emily Ciha. Ciha ran track her freshman and sophomore years, then decided to try soccer this season.
West Branch soccer players have a fairly common background; they have all played on club or recreational teams before high school. Iowa City-based soccer programs like Kickers and the Iowa Soccer Club draw the interest of young West Branch students, but when they reach middle school and high school, most tend to play more traditional, accessible sports.
Despite the alternatives, West Branch soccer players won’t be giving up the sport any time soon.
“I started kicking a ball around when I was two or three,” said Fuller. “Soccer is a good combination of running, physical contact and strategy.”
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