Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief
This year proved to be a successful one for Club Sports — each team had something to be proud of, and each had players worth recognizing. The coaches of each sport were asked to nominate their top player and their top rookie of the year; here is a look at the female and male athletes that were chosen, along with the reasons that their coaches nominated them, in the words of their coaches.
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Male Player of the Year
Joey Caver
Sport: Rugby
Class: 2019
Performance: “Joey is a strong athlete. He works very hard at practice and on game-day. He
runs hard, he tackles well and he motivates people around him to be better. I played with Joey during my time here and now I am his coach, but even as a first-year he always had a drive to get better everyday. From when he first came out, to the year he had this year, he made a massive change. It was a pleasure having him as a teammate, and as a player.”
Character/Work Ethic: “Joey is a very humble person. He puts in the work without fussing and drives people around to push themselves through the hardships. I mentioned more above
before I read this question.”
Achievements in the Sport: Selected first team all conference; he was selected to play for the NorCal All-Star team; he was selected to join the Pacific Coast All-Stars
Other Noteworthy Achievements: Joey Caver is also a mentor for at risk middle school children.
Female Player of the Year
Amber Haslinger
Sport: Soccer
Class: 2020
Performance: “Amber started with the team when the club was formed … She has always exceeded the expectations and goals given by myself or one of the other coaches. Fellow players look towards her as one of the leaders in the team — she’s not a vocal leader, but instead an actions-speak-louder-than-words leader. Amber has been one of our most consistent forwards throughout this season and last season as well.”
Character/Work Ethic: “Amber has always been a hard worker on and off the field. She is always one of the first players to arrive to practices and games. Amber will make any of her teammates feel welcomed and will always make sure that her teammates are doing okay if she notices them not acting the way they normally do.”
Achievements in the Sport: Co-Captain; scored 9 Goals so far this season, 5 last season; contributed three goals during the OSU tournament where the team earned 3rd; part of the NWCSL Small School Division Championship Fall 2018
Other Noteworthy Achievements: Works at the Child Development Center on Campus; recently completed her licensure exams to be part of the ED Program
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Male Rookie of the Year
Jonathan Williams
Sport: Lacrosse
Class: 2022
Performance: “Johnny led the team in total points and in goals scored as a first-year. He also was very important to our transition game and consistently improved defensively.”
Character/Work Ethic: “His work ethic is second-to-none. Even though he could rely solely on his athleticism and probably be better than most, he works hard every day in practice and
never complains. He is also very encouraging of his teammates which I think speaks to his character.”
Achievements in the Sport: Williams was named 1st Team All-League Midfield; he scored 58 goals and led the team to Semi-Finals in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL) Tournament; Williams was named Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) 3rd Team All-American
Other Noteworthy Achievements: Williams also helped lead practice for West Salem High School during their preseason workouts early in winter of 2019.
Female Rookie of the Year
Hannah Greene
Sport: Soccer
Class: 2020
Performance: “She will give maximum effort in practices and games. Has always risen to the
occasion during big games and tournament play this year … has become one of the first players I will pencil into the starting 11 team sheet week in, week out; due to her being one of the most consistent defenders but being as well a versatile player where she can step into the center midfield or forward role when needed.”
Character/Work Ethic: “Hannah is a hard worker … she has a high soccer IQ, she will give opinions or suggestions to myself or one of the other coaches that we may not see during the game that she might see as a pivotal observation that can help in us winning that specific game. Hannah will always play with high intensity. ”
Achievements in the Sport: Two goals, three assists this year; part of the team that won the NWCSL Small School Division Championship fall 2018; part of the defensive backline that has helped in only conceding 10 goals and having an extraordinary goals-against average of 0.935 this season
Other Noteworthy Achievements: Assistant coach for the Girls’ soccer program at Central High School; part of semi-pro team, CFC Atletica
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Photos courtesy of Andy Main
