Winning a state championship in athletics is exciting and more often than not a random feat. Unless you are part of the girls soccer program at Glenwood School in Smith Station, Alabama. In April, the Lady Gators soccer team added their fourth state championship trophy to the school’s trophy case. All by itself, four championships would be quite an accomplishment, but for Glenwood, the newest title marks the school’s fourth straight championship.
Adding to the excitement surrounding the championship win is the fact that the school has only had a girls soccer program for the past four years.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” John Robertson, Glenwood coach, said.
He may be humble when discussing the winning tradition, but Robertson has been an important part of the school’s journey with the soccer program. Back in 2004, Glenwood established a co-ed soccer program to enlist interest in the sport. Four years ago the program was split into two teams, and Robertson took the helm of the girls team.
“My daughter was playing back then, and I wanted to be a part of her high school experience,” Robertson said about his decision to coach the girls team.
The first year fielding a girls soccer team, the school won the state Alabama Independent School Association girls soccer championship. From that point on, then-freshmen athletes on the team have been a part of a state championship team every year.
So just what is the secret of the program’s recipe for success? According to Robertson, it comes down to just a few key ingredients.
“We lose some girls, and we pick up some girls, but every year the new players find out quickly from the other girls there is a standard we expect,” Robertson said. “The girls established that the first year.”
Robertson also credits year-round soccer play as another reason the team fares well. Most of his athletes play club soccer, which is active in the fall. Many also play basketball at Glenwood, which means the soccer players move straight from fall soccer into girls basketball and then right into spring soccer at Glenwood.
“They have continuous conditioning,” Robertson said. “We have athletes who are ready and able to play when they come to me for the spring.”
The Lady Gators defeated Tuscaloosa Academy 2-1 to win the state title. Robertson says his team started off the game fast, scoring within the first 15 minutes. There was a slowdown prior to the half, and the Lady Gators went into the half 1-0. The coach said his leaders on the team were instrumental in getting the girls fired back up for the remainder of the game.
“We have some good leadership,” Robertson said. “Teri Hodge and Whitley Anderson were named team captains because they are leaders. Others like McKenzie Morefield, Jen Wilson, and Jordyn Wheeler have also been vital parts of the team.”
Although he wants to produce winning seasons, Robertson says he never really expected to win four straight titles. It was a surreal moment for him when, during the last ten minutes of the game, Robertson said it became apparent the program was about to add another state championship.
“I just remember standing there thinking how hard the team had worked and what had gone into making it happen,” Robertson said. “It worked out beautifully.”
Columbus Valley/June 2016
Glenwood State Soccer Champs
Glenwood School
Smith Station, Alabama
By Beth Welch
Photo courtesy of Glenwood School
