The soccer season is over, but the awards have arrived and several Oxford Wildcat players were recognized for their efforts.
Wildcat soccer athletes were named to the All-Flint Metro League, All-District, All-Region and even All-State teams.
Senior captain Steven Walker, who was also named Most Valuable Player for the Wildcat soccer team at a Nov. 6 sports awards banquet, received recognition for the four teams. He was named to the First Team for All-District (where he was the top player for the district out of more than 120 others) and All-FML. He was the only Wildcat to also be named to both the All-Region First Team as well as an Honorable Mention for the All-State Team.
Last season, Walker received All-League honors as a member of the Second Team.
‘Walker has been the rock of the team,? said Wildcat Soccer Head Coach John Thaler. ‘His solid play and experience as the only four-year varsity player was instrumental.?
Other Wildcats receiving honors included senior Jake Shafer, who earned First-Team All-District honors and made the Second Team for All-League. Thaler noted that Shafer played just about every minute of every game.
‘His straight-up play helped him be the second leading scorer behind Walker.?
Juniors Travis Roth and Matt Versteeg were both named to First-Team All-District and received Honorable Mentions for All-League.
‘Roth was key to us getting into districts as he scored two goals and helped us to have another successful post season,? Thaler explained. ‘Versteeg become our main player in defense even though he’s a true midfielder. His heads-up play as sweeper helped contribute to our six shutouts for the season.?
Versteeg also was named Wildcat Defensive Player of the Year at the banquet.
Senior captain Mitch Seeling earned an All-League Honorable Mention. ‘Seeling went from limited play last year to playing 90 percent of the time this season,? Thaler said. ‘His leadership as a captain was important in keeping the teams? morale up as we went through a rough stretch in the beginning.?
Seeling and senior Colin Gutierrez also were named the Wildcat Team Most Improved Players at the banquet. While the team began with a rough start, Thaler believes these honors show the success the team has had.
‘The other coaches recognized the skill level of my players and were justly recognized,? Thaler said.
Also recognized at the banquet was Wildcat Award recipient Glen Walker, father of Steven Walker. Mr. Walker was described as a parent who volunteers much of his time to work with the soccer players during summer conditioning. His nickname: Mr. Hell Week.
Finally, three soccer players received academic honors for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA while playing soccer. They were junior midfielder/defender Corey Olson, junior defender Mark Hurrish and sophomore midfielder Dan Peck.