The Lone Crusader:

Willy's Got Game

Katie McCabe

Not many people in this world become great by becoming crazy, but senior varsity soccer player Kristine Willrett mastered this skill when she was merely a freshman.

Willrett has been a dedicated member of Marianπs varsity soccer team for four years. She is the only remaining senior in this schoolπs prestigious soccer program. Throughout high school, Willrett has not only become an all-state player and a part of three state championships, but she has also developed into ≥ . . . another coach,≤ as freshman varsity player Annie McCarthy explained. Though she may excel on the field, the help that she gives to the other players may be her greatest achievement.

When Willrett entered Marian, she was the only freshman on a varsity soccer team filled with upperclassmen. Luckily, she had an older sister there for her. "I was broken into the team already," said Willrett. To distinguish Willrett from her older sister, Coach Ed Dudley gave her the nickname "Willy," which has stayed with her to this day. In the beginning, Willrett did not get that much playing time, but in Districts and State of her freshman year, Willrett solidified her

role on the team.

"I ran around like a crazy person, and the defenders were scared of a freshman who would go around and slide-tackle them," said Willrett.

Most of her teammates would agree that this state of mind has not flown far from the cuckooπs nest. Freshman Kelly McCann said, "I thought she was really scary."

Junior Sarah Pelster agreed but added that off the field, "She's a whole different person."

Nonetheless, Willrett has exemplified intensity. With ten new freshmen and two new juniors, Willrett knows that this is a trait that she needs to help teach to the team. Willrett leads by example as she says, "You watch, you learn, and you're a part of it."

She wants the freshmen to know that they are not just freshmen. Willrett has learned that team chemistry means a lot. She explains, "I try to tell people where to go and what to do . . . Getting people to play at their hardest and their best just makes things go better." Willrett admits that she has always been a person on the field with a loud mouth, and junior Emily Kemp added, "She's really vocal . . . intense, but very positive."

Next year, Willrett will be kicking it off to the high road as she starts off as a freshman soccer player at Creighton University. Needless to say, this will leave a big hole in the defense and the spirit of Marian soccer. Through Marian, Willrett has learned the intensity that hard work demands. She has been playing since second grade, mastering this trade.

As a senior, she lifts two times a week with Coach Dudley. She participates not only in soccer but also basketball conditioning, and she has continually practiced with different club teams even though she was too old to play in any of their games.

Willrett is an athlete who understands what it takes to achieve success, and she enjoys taking people with her along that road. Before every game, the team meditates together, and Willrett recites the team quote: "Greatness is reserved for the few who will do what no one else will." Greatness has been reserved for Kristine Willrett.

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