The North Texas State Soccer Association and U.S. Regional and National Team coaches and administrators selected ten young ladies from Sting ETX teams to represent North Texas State Soccer within their respective age divisions for the elite US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program.  The ODP organization was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.

Players are selected, in most states, on the basis of open tryouts. These tryouts are conducted by state association coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. Some state associations combine scouting techniques and invitations to certain players with the open tryouts.  Selection of these players is not an easy task. Usually, the state association head coach or State Coach is assisted in the selection process by several other qualified coaches from club or league levels.  Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:

 Psychological - focus, commitment, attitude

 Technical - individual skills with the ball

 Tactical - individual and team decision making 

 Physical - fitness and athleticism 

Shannon Orr, Director of Player Development for Sting ETX, comments, “These girls truly deserve this opportunity.  They have worked very hard, gained necessary skills, and have the right attitude to

succeed at the highest levels.  I am very proud of them.  All Sting ETX players receive training based on the US Soccer curriculum, so I am anticipating more players from East Texas being successful in ODP.  These players must raise their level in this environment, and now they can bring their experience back to their club and high school programs."

Director of Coaching for Sting ETX and Head Women’s Soccer Coach at UT-Tyler, remembers what it was like for her as an ambitious youth soccer player and former US National Team member.  “When I was selected to participate in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, I had no idea how it would affect my life.  It prepared me for a successful career in women’s soccer and provided me with the opportunity to play at the highest level as a three-year member of the US Women’s National Team.  I am very proud of these dedicated young ladies, and I look forward to helping them reach their potential.”

1st Row, Left to Right:  Nicole Trpkosh - 95 pool - Hubbard Middle School, Morgan Mills - 95 pool - Moore MST Magnet School, Madison Newman - 97 pool - Grace Community, Abby Halbrook - 96 pool - Moore MST Magnet School, Kate Russell - 96 pool - All Saints Episcopal School

2nd Row, Left to Right:  Jordan Adams - 93 pool - Longview High School, Molly Grisham - 93 pool - Longview High School, Cierra Grubbs - 93 pool - Union Grove High School, Chestley Strother - 94 pool - Whitehouse High School, Mackenzi Blankenship - 94 pool – Robert E. Lee High School, Sting ETX Coach Shannon Orr

Honorable mention of other players who participated in the tryout process:

Ellie Parker - Sting ETX 96 - Hubbard Middle School

Kennedy Rose - Sting ETX 96 - The Brook Hill School

Amy Kelly - Sting ETX 96 - Foster Middle School