Wooster threesome gets taste of soccer on a national level through ODP

  • brian questel
  • July 27, 2011
  • 319
                        
080111 ODP Promo: Wooster trio takes part in ODP soccer program in Illinois Wooster threesome gets taste of soccer on a national level through ODP By Brian Questel Any sport can be a lot of work, but there are perks as a trio of Wooster girls found out. The group – junior Annalise Battig, freshman Sydney Sleek and eighth-grader Emily Edgell – recently returned from separate trips to Northern Illinois University, where they participated in the Olympic Developmental Soccer Program. The program is designed to identify the top soccer talent in each state, with the ultimate goal to fill out the U.S. national teams. It was a culmination of nearly a year of practices for the three, including long and snowy drives to Lorain once a month where the ODP practices were held. Once the teams were selected, the teams practiced in Oberlin once a week in June in preparation for the trip to NIU. This was the third camp for Battig, who made the u-17 team, and the first for Sleek (u-15s) and Edgell (u-14s). Two teams in Battig’s age group went last year, but that was reduced to one this year as the coaches took 18 on this year’s Ohio North squad. The time at NIU was a bit different this year “in that we didn’t train – we only played games,” said Battig of her July 8-11 trip. “We played four games total,” she said. “We played two of the toughest teams in Illinois and then Ohio South. Last year Ohio South won first place out of all the states and Illinois made the finals. We tied Illinois but should have beaten them, and we lost to Ohio South by two goals. We beat Iowa and Nebraska. “This year only the best people went,” she added. “It was a good experience. It was harder than last year.” It’s an experience that Battig hopes will continue to help her. “The first time I stepped on the field, I was not expecting how fast the pace was, but you get used to it,” she said. “You get so use to playing club and high school, but there were a ton more girls just as good or better than me. I looked at what they did and tried to see what they were doing. Fitness-wise, they are definitely faster – it’s a faster-paced game. (The games were) much harder and there is a lot more running, much more than in high school and club games. I realized I need to take less touches when I dribble, which I can get away in high school and club.” Sleek’s first ODP team caught her attention, especially with the number of girls attending the camp. “It was really a lot of fun,” she said. “It was neat playing with everyone across country. There were so many different teams there. It was a great experience.” Sleek’s camp had training time built into it during her camp July 11-15. “The first couple days our team scrimmaged some of the other state teams. For our first practices, we scrimmaged Kentucky and Kansas,” said Sleek. “The rest of the time we were put into different pools. “I thought is was great. It was hard, though. I didn’t know what I was going up against. In Ohio you know most of the competition. When I came to this, I didn’t know what to expect and what the competition was. I played against girls who had recently been on the national team or pulled up to the national team. “I was able to watch what other players did and that helped me focus on what I needed to do. We saw how they were doing certain stuff and I tried to do that, too. I learned a lot from players there.” Edgell was one of 18 girls in her age group to make the Ohio North squad, but she was selected for the regional pool team as camp wound down. “That was a pool of 40 girls out of 400 who did the best in camp,” said Edgell. “Next year if I make it (regional pool), I have a chance to make it to nationals.” Edgell made the monthly trek to Lorain, where she impressed the ODP coaches, but Edgell was thankful for something closer to home. “I’m thankful my mom (Nikki Schrenbach) got me there,” said Edgell. “If not, I wouldn’t have gone to Chicago.” The trip to Illinois was an eye opener, which was topped by her regional selection. “I knew I was doing well, but I’m surprised and happy I made it,” she said. “This was a great experience. I played with girls from all over. The eight girls I practiced with for regionals practiced with the (regional) coaches and there were some college scouts who watched.” Battig and Sleek will be playing at Wooster High School this fall, while Edgell will play with Ohio Strikers United in Wooster, which is run by Ian Holford.


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