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At times throughout this spring season, Cornerkicks will have players blogging about their experiences. You will hear from high school students playing high school this spring, and you'll hear from high school students playing club this spring.
This first blog is from Lake Zurich's Katie Uyenishi, who is playing with Eclipse Select. The sophomore is considered by many to be one of the top defenders in the Midwest. She is the younger sister of Sarah (Marquette) and Molly (Colorado College) Uyenishi, who led the Bears to state finals berths during their high school playing days.
Feel free to post a question for Katie, and she will try to respond to it in her next blog. Waubonsie Valley's Bri Rodriguez will write later in the week, as Cornerkicks brings you blogs you won't find anywhere else.
And with that said, here's Katie Uyenishi:
"Hey everyone! I’m Katie Uyenishi.
"I am a sophomore at Lake Zurich High School. I play soccer for a club called Eclipse Select Soccer Club. I am on the u-16 team, and we are currently playing in the USYSA National League and Red Bull National League. As a club, we are generally hated by many other clubs or outsiders. Many wonder why it is these kids like to play for club. I cannot give you a legitimate answer, because it is almost impossible to explain.
"I can speak for the majority of the Eclipse girls that we all just have a need and love for a competitive atmosphere where everyone hates to lose and strives to be the best. Training sessions are extremely intense and competitive. At one point my team was known as ‘The Best Training Team in the Club” to the entire club because our training sessions would get too competitive and almost violent, to the point where Rory (Dames) or Mike (Nesci) would have to end the session before someone got injured, as opposed to our games we would play ‘soft’ or like ‘marshmallows’.
"This environment is simply what fits these players who need to improve physically and mentally. At school, I always get the classic, “Why don’t you play high school soccer, too good?” That type of question is always asked and then followed by an expected answer, like 'too good?' or 'too cool?' but absolutely not. I usually answer with a simple, 'No, I’m definitely not too good.'
"I don’t bother trying to explain, because again, my passion for soccer through the Eclipse is unexplainable. The opportunity is there for the Eclipse year-round program, and I have chosen to go that route for the past two years because I feel I have more developing to do as an individual player. Also, I feel I have a responsibility on my team as a leader to help develop my team to achieve our goals. I often get accused of being obsessed with Eclipse, which is true to an extent, but it’s much deeper than an ordinary obsession.
"Yes, I do play soccer through other programs. I recently played in the 2008 adidas ESP camp and am going to France with the 1991 Region II team on their annual European Tour. I'll talk to everyone again soon - Katie."
- Joe Trost
Cell Phone Alerts
Katie,
I love the fact that your training sessions are as intense and the players work as hard, sometimes harder than they do in actual games. I think unfortunately, that is one of the turn-offs to high school soccer, not that the players consider themselves better, but that the training environment (not even the coaches, just competitiveness is lost...players take it easy so they do not hurt each other at practice, etc).
I do have a question I am curious to your thoughts on. Recently, the Chicago Magic SC was quoted for their Academy Program as encouraging players to play in HS because they believe in "total player development" and want their players working on being leaders on their HS teams and working on making those aroudn them better, as well as being an active member and representative of the community they live in. Any thoughts?
Hey Pearl!!!!
I was wondering what your thoughts were on the club experience. I mean is the training sessions really that competetive? Im new on this whole club soccer thing so i would just like an inside opinion. Also i saw that your club is ranked 3rd in the state. How is that? Shouldnt you be first? You guys have won every single national league game and beat ela 3-1? Your team is awesome and im a HUGE fan. Well good luck on your season =)