7th Annual UTHS Alumni Matches Held 5 August 2006
The UTHS Women's and Men's Alumni Teams took to the pitch on Saturday, 5 August 2006 to see if they still have what it takes to be champions. Alumni taking part in the matches included several past and current college players and several local high school coaches.
The women's alumni teams played a small-sided game with two evenly matched teams. Cory Crandel and Scott King tended goals for their respective teams. All who participated played a respectable game with everyone contributing to the success of their team. It was nice to see past UT players unite once again and play together as they did a few years ago.
A few of the women in attendance have played or are currently playing for various colleges or universities. Bethany Taylor and Sarah Ybarra are now playing for Lewis College. Katie Garner is currently playing for Millikin. Meg Smith continued her soccer at Rockford College. Emily King represented Valparaiso. She's currently a graduate assistant women's soccer coach at the University of South Dakota.
PHOTO -- Front: Shera Seward. Middle (L to R): Karri Robinson, Megan Smith, Sarah Ybarra, Lauren Savala, Adrian Castel. Back (L to R):Lucy VanHecke, Beth Taylor, Shelly Willemark, Allison Zeigler, Katie Garner.
The 2002 and Younger men's side proved no match for 2001 and Older team. The "old guys" must have been practicing together prior to Saturday or the younger guys must have stayed out too late Friday evening--maybe into Saturday morning.
Several coaches from local area high schools worked the pitch, never losing a step. Well, I think Coach Weaver hit the pitch once--probably trying to slide tackle his opponent, right? Area head coaches playing were Phil Weaver (UTHS), Rick Sanchez (Moline) and Cory Crandel (Rock Island). Other coaches present on the pitch were Scott King and Tony Davila, both from UTHS.
PHOTO -- Area head coaches Rick Sanchez (Moline), Cory Crandel (Rock Island) and Phil Weaver (UTHS)
Several players on the winning Alumni Team represented the UTHS's 1999 IHSA Class AA state championship team. King, Cruz, Brocks, Berhenke, Gryp and Muehling were just a few of the 1999 Champs present.
Kings of the Pitch
PHOTO -- The King siblings: Emily, Dennis, Ryan and Scott
To see more photo highlights of the games, click here.