SPRING 2009 PEAK PERFORMERS: Girls' soccer

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Finishing second in the Class 5A Metro Conference wasn't good enough for Shelby Williamson and the Air Academy girls' soccer team. The senior defender spearheaded an amazing playoff run that saw the 10th-seeded Kadets record three consecutive shutouts and three victories over higher-ranked teams. And even though Air Academy lost to No. 1 Chatfield in the state title game, it was a ride that this future Kansas soccer player isn't soon to forget. Williamson also won't forget earning honors as The Gazette's Girls' Soccer Player of the Year.

What's your lasting image from your high school days at Air Academy?

Probably the opportunity to play on one of the state's top teams all four years. Yeah, I wish we would have won state, and that was unfortunate. But getting to the finals this year was an awesome experience. People really underestimated what we could do this year.

Was finishing second to Pine Creek in the Metro League your wake-up call?

Losing to them was a shock to us. We knew that after that, nothing was going to be handed to us. I think we all knew we could go all the way to the finals. That was our goal all year. We just put it all together at the right time.

Your coach, Nancy Sibley, really digs your intensity. Where did you get that?

I'm just naturally competitive in everything. I don't like to lose.

But being competitive has a down side, doesn't it?

It's not pretty when I lose. People don't like to play with me because anything is a war. Even a simple board game, like the game of Life, gets pretty intense with me.

Has soccer been your main sport of your life?

I've played club since U-11 (under 11 years of age) and always played at the highest level. But before that, I used to dance and do all that girly dance stuff, you know - tap, jazz and ballet. I played basketball my freshman year, but since then I haven't done anything else but play soccer.

How did you pick Kansas as the place you wanted to continue playing?

I knew I wanted to go out of state, and Kansas was the first one that recruited me. I just fell in love with the campus. I'll go to summer school and train with the team to help the transition. I can't wait. But being away from the mountains will be depressing.

How much will you miss not having your sisters around on the field?

I got to play with Kylie for two years, and I'll never get to do that again. My youngest sister, Haley, will be a freshman this year. Now she's really like me in terms of intensity and competitiveness. Kylie is more chilled and laid back, which really helped keep me in line.

Tell us about the rest of your family.

My mom (Diane) works in mammography at the hospital, and my dad (Bob) is a cop. They're both from Illinois, and they moved here when I was 2 months old.

Has your dad pulled you over?

No, but I did get stopped on base coming back from school. He wasn't too happy when he found out, but I didn't get a ticket.

What are some of your favorite movies or TV shows?

As far as movies go, I like anything funny. I don't read a lot, unless it's for school. One of my TV favorites is "House." I'll also play basketball or go swimming with friends and have been working out a ton getting ready for college soccer.

Any thoughts of a major?

I'm thinking about pre-med. I like biology and anatomy - those subjects have always interested me. Anything related to medicine would be an awesome thing to do.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Believe it or not, Gregg Braha didn't immediately celebrate upon the clock hitting double zeros to signal the Class 3A state championship won by his St. Mary's girls' soccer team.

"I thought it would be more exhilarating," The Gazette's Girls' Soccer Coach of the Year recalled. "I was looking at my assistant when time ran out, and I could just see his shoulders slump. I had the same feeling of just being relieved that the monkey was finally off our back. When we were presented the trophy the next day at a school assembly, then it was real, very satisfying and fun."

St. Mary's ended the season on a 16-game winning streak, its only blemish a 5-0 loss to Class 5A finalist Air Academy. And after falling short in the state finals the past two years, the playoff-experienced Pirates got it done May 19, scoring two goals in the first 12 minutes and hanging on to beat Alexander Dawson, 2-1.

"I didn't put any extra pressure on my senior class since this was their last chance," Braha said. "Instead, we had a junior class that was playing in its third straight state championship game. No one had ever lost three straight, and we didn't want to be that team."

Not one to rest on his laurels, Braha is already looking forward to defending the title with 15 lettermen, including eight of 11 starters, returning. Leading the pack is junior midfielder Christina Whitelaw, who scored 39 goals - including both in the championship game - and added 24 assists, despite missing the first three weeks of the season while leading the girls' basketball team into the state quarterfinals.

"We have our entire defense back," Braha said. "We have eight juniors coming back and so many who know what it takes. We have high hopes for the future."

FIRST TEAM

Forward: Ashley Willis

Sr., Coronado

MVP of 5A Metro League earned full-ride scholarship to Alabama.

Forward: Wrendy Rayhill

Sr., Fountain Valley

Area's all-time scoring leader with 105 goals, including 18 in 3A this spring.

Forward: Sarah Schweiss

Fr., Air Academy

Made 5A varsity debut with 16 goals including three playoff game-winners.

Midfielder: Christina Whitelaw

Jr., St. Mary's

Led area scorers with 39 goals and 24 assists - and missed three weeks playing 3A basketball.

Midfielder: Bri Favatella

Sr., Pine Creek

Second-team all-state selection led Pine Creek to 5A Metro League championship.

Midfielder: Shea Haycock

Jr., The Classical Academy

One of the area scoring leaders with 22 goals and 13 assists in 3A.

Midfielder: Elise Kensinger

Sr., Cheyenne Mountain

Texas Christian signee was key player in transition who could dominate the middle of the field when healthy.

Defender: Shelby Williamson

Sr., Air Academy

Three-year starter, first-team 5A all-state pick and now Gazette Girls' Soccer Player of the Year will play for Kansas.

Defender: Lauren Patterson

Sr., Cheyenne Mountain

2008 Gazette Player of the Year will play D-I soccer at Wright State in Ohio.

Defender: Mari Tanabe

Sr., Manitou Springs

Leader of 3A defense that recorded 13 shutouts played well in the midfield too.

Goalkeeper: Sarah Tanous

Jr., Air Academy

Gave up just two goals in five 5A playoff games.

SECOND TEAM

Forward: Allie Metzler, So., Palmer

Forward: Molly Quirk, Sr., Doherty

Forward: Darcy Jerman, So., Cheyenne Mountain

Midfielder: Lauren Kuklenski, Sr., St. Mary's

Midfielder: Ashley Denio, Jr., Woodland Park

Midfielder: Reade Tillman, Jr., Colorado Springs Christian School

Midfielder: Brooks Bingman, Sr., Lewis-Palmer

Defender: Alex Dohm, Jr., Liberty

Defender: Kelley Quinn, Jr., Lewis-Palmer

Defender: Carley Kocel, So., Cheyenne Mountain

Goalkeeper: Carmen McDermott, Jr., Pine Creek

HONORABLE MENTION

Ashley Bryant, freshman, Harrison; Stephanie Cornell, sophomore, Rampart; Brandi Farley, sophomore, Pine Creek; Alexys Hendrickson, senior, Mitchell; Jenna Howerton, sophomore, Pine Creek; Alyssa Losoya, senior, Mesa Ridge; Andie Marchant, sophomore, Discovery Canyon; Amara Nagle, sophomore, TCA; Darlene Rincon, senior, Sierra; Carolyn Simon, junior, Pine Creek; Emilee Spoto, junior, Doherty; Janae Vanderploeg, freshman, Cheyenne Mountain; Rebecca Herd, sophomore, Cheyenne Mountain; Kylie Williamson, sophomore, Air Academy; Kylene Babauta, senior, Sand Creek; Baleigh Isgar, junior, Widefield; Amy Klopfenstein, freshman, St. Mary's; Sammy Lewis, junior, Lewis-Palmer; Karen Maldonado, senior, Harrison; Elise Mann, senior, Evangelical Christian Academy; Becca Morales, senior, St. Mary's; Teresa Ordaz, senior, Wasson; Alana Nason, senior, Wasson; Christian Price, senior, Wasson; Jade Ryals, junior, Lewis-Palmer; Jenny Stoot, sophomore, Fountain Valley; Autumn Surage, sophomore, Discovery Canyon; Grace Rodriguez, sophomore, Discovery Canyon; Sam Tarvin, junior, Rampart; Kaeli Vandersluis, sophomore, Coronado; Kati Barbari, junior, Palmer; Lori Byrd, senior, Sierra; Lency Chiles, senior, Sand Creek; Jamie Fox, senior, TCA; Ashley Hooper, senior, Woodland Park; Lakaya Johnson, junior, Widefield; Reilley Moore, sophomore, Air Academy; Monica Otey, senior, Mesa Ridge; Ariel Piper, senior, Harrison; Nicole Schumacher, junior, Lewis-Palmer; Reilly Sholdt, senior, Palmer; Shianne Smelker, freshman, Pine Creek; Gretchen Sutherland, junior, TCA; Emma Vaudreuil, senior, Pine Creek; Tionne Webb, sophomore, TCA; Ashley Echeandia, junior, Manitou Springs; Katie Loof, junior, St. Mary's; Olivia Mills, sophomore, Doherty; Taylor Proctor, freshman, Sand Creek; Katrina Schmidl, junior, Lewis-Palmer.