Spartans kick in at No. 14 nationally
By Jason S. Rufner
Forgive Broad Run fans if their heads are now held a little higher than before. Another note of national recognition has been bestowed upon the Ashburn school.
The Spartan girls' soccer team was ranked No. 14 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's final poll taken June 10.
The squad completed their state championship season with a 24-0 mark, culminating their season with a revenge victory versus Courtland -- the school that knocked Broad Run out of the 2007 state tournament -- in the Group AA title game June 6.
"I am very proud of the girls and what they achieved this season," Broad Run coach Claire Collins said. "I cannot express how impressed I am with this team and their drive and determination."
Junior defender Valerie Powell said she was surprised at being ranked among schools in the south and west that play year-round.
"It's really exciting," Powell said. “I did not expect that at all.”
Broad Run returns all but two from last spring's roster, fostering reasonable expectations of yet another trip to the state tournament.
"I think our team is definitely strong. We have some really good young girls," Powell said. "These girls are just great to play with."
The school's softball team found out June 12 that they were considered the nation's No. 1 team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. That team's first baseman was Powell's older sister, Karla, who will play next year at the University of Wisconsin.
"We're both very supportive of each other," said Valerie, who reports that she is receiving interest from Coastal Carolina, Radford and Winthrop, among other universities.