Philippon first General to earn first-team All-Ohio honors

  • brian questel
  • November 16, 2011
  • 269
                        
112111 philipponallohio Promo: Philippon goes out on top; earns first-team All-Ohio soccer honors Philippon first General to earn first-team All-Ohio honors By Brian Questel It took four years, but Wooster’s Jenn Philippon is first. The WHS senior was named first-team All-Ohio November 14, joining an elite group of athletes from around the state to earn that award. Philippon, who was second-team All-Ohio last year, moved up this year to the top recognition offered by the state. In doing so, Philippon became the first player from Wooster to earn first-team All-Ohio honors. “I’m proud of the honor,” said Philippon. “It reflects all the hard work I’ve put into the program over four years. Being first team was definitely my goal, but I couldn’t have done it without the team. We had an amazing season and that helps a lot.” Philippon was at the heart of a Wooster team that went 14-3-3. The Generals won the Ohio Cardinal Conference for the second time in Philippon’s career, going 5-1-2, and advanced to the district finals before losing to Wadsworth 2-1. Philippon helped Wooster reach those accomplishments by setting the school’s all-time record for goals, surpassing Joy Taylor’s mark of 57. Philippon had 20 goals and eight assists this season, tying and then breaking the mark with two goals in a 6-0 victory against Mansfield Senior in a rainstorm and ending her career with 67 goals. “It was definitely a little scary being so close and it was a lot of mind games trying not to let the pressure get to me,” said Philippon. “I tended to focus more on the game than myself. My main goal was to always to win the game, but it was definitely a relief. It had been looming over me for a while and to finally achieve it, I was definitely relieved. “I think the statistics helped me, but anyone watching would know I’m not one who just scores,” said Philippon. “I am a playmaker, even if I’m not the one scoring the goal.” Philippon started as a freshman and, even as the intensity of her game increased – and that of her opponent’s against her – she played in every varsity game in her career despite wearing multiple bruises and cuts by season’s end. “It takes a special player to get that award and Jenn is that special player,” said Wooster coach Les Wudarzewski, who called her “the best player” he’s coached. “She made a difference in our program. She’s a player who set the bar higher for everyone to follow. I actually think why she is a Division I All-Ohio player is the fact every coach knew who she was. Even teams that did not play Wooster knew we had a player named Philippon. Coach to coach, the name spread out. Everyone was aware of her. The (state champion) Strongsville coach knew about Philippon and that’s nice to see. “Jenn has a nose for the goal, it’s as simple as that. She is a very deceiving player. To be honest, looking at Jenn you’re not going to think much until she starts playing. Then you had better be ready because she’s going to bring a game you’ve never seen before. That’s what she has to offer.” Philippon’s “confidence” is the reason for her growth as a player. “My freshman and sophomore year, I was more hesitant to take shots or take people on,” she said. “As my confidence increased, I took chances that helped me have the success I had. I’m really proud and excited to be recognized. I’m proud to also represent my school and get our program on the map and make our program better known. “At first, with my first game in the program, I knew I would help out, but I didn’t realize the impact I would have on the program and that I would score so many goals. I feel I grew a lot as a player. I didn’t come into the team being first team All-Ohio, but I worked up to it.” Philippon hasn’t decided whether to play in college, given her interest in pharmaceutical research and the demands that will make on her schedule. “I think I’m going to miss the competition the most,” she said. “I’m a very competitive person and I enjoyed the winning season and the success we had. I’m planning on focusing on my studies in college, most likely at Ohio State, but I’m going to keep my options open with soccer and keep an open mind. I just haven’t made any final decisions.” Wudarzewski knows that it will be next-to-impossible to fill Philippon’s shoes next season on the field, but none more so than how she helped in changing the face and attitude of the program. “It is such a huge accomplishment for her and for us as a team and coaching staff and Wooster and our whole youth program,” said Wudarzewski. “I don’t think people realize how difficult it is getting to first-team All-Ohio … She’s one of just 18 (Division I) players (in the state) and that makes it even better.”


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