Sports : VS soccer team honors seniors, youth teams

Mindy Burke speaks about her soccer team.

Danielle Phippen discusses youth soccer at the VS girls game.

Youth soccer coach Kevin Atkinson talks about his team.

Group hug! Vikettes gather around senior soccer players.

Senior Night: Bethany Stainbrook with her parents.

Senior Lexi Druger and her parents

Ashley McKenna shares a laugh with her parents during the VSHS girls soccer team's Senior Night.

During the the VS-West Delaware half-time on Friday, May 23rd, the VSHS soccer team recognized some of the girls and coaches involved in the youth soccer program in Vinton.

The program, which utilizes trained volunteer coaches, is essential for developing future players for the high school program.

Vinton youth players belong to AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) and practice in Vinton and play games on Saturdays during the spring and fall.

Currently the girls youth program has 8 girls soccer teams in Vinton: 6 year old team coached by Kelly Griffith, two 8 year old teams coached by Mindy Burke and Danielle Phippen, two 10 year old teams coached by Brenda Bartz and Mindy Burke, two 12 year old teams coached by Scott Meyer and Kevin Atkinson and one 14 year old team coached by Melissa Davis.

The boys youth also has teams in Vinton.

AYSO is the largest single-entity youth soccer association in the U.S. with nearly 600,000 players and 225,000 volunteers. Their philosophies are Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. If you are interested in learning more about the program their web site is www.ayso-cr.org.

After the varsity win, Coach Cornell took time to recognize the three departing seniors. Ashley McKenna, Lexi Drugar and Bethany Stainbrook. These players, said Coach Cornell, have brought a strong leadership to the soccer program and will be missed for their dedication and positive attitude. The seniors were recognized with their parents after the varsity win over West Delaware and presented with gifts and a team hug.