Island girl sees soccer success

There is not a Wahkiakum School District affiliated soccer team, but local youth still find a way to play the game and find success.

Most recently, Heidi Bruntmyer, an eighth grade student at John C. Thomas Middle School, competed in the Washington Youth Soccer Recreational Cup Tournament held last weekend in Tukwila, Washington. Her team, the Kalama Chinooks Under 14 Recreational Soccer Team took second place in the tournament after facing teams from all over the state.

Bruntmyer is successful on both ends of the field in her dual roles as defender and forward. She and her teammates have been playing together for nearly eight years.

She is also a very active student, on the honor roll and involved in 4-H. She took on a new challenge this year by turning out for the Warriors basketball team. Travel to Kalama for soccer practice became more difficult when she became a Puget Island resident, so she tried to stay in shape by running up and down the court instead of the field.

"Most of the girls on the soccer team also play other sports during the season, like basketball and wrestling," Bruntmyer said. "We have played together so long, we still play well even when we aren't able to practice together."

Bruntmyer will also compete with track and field team this spring after taking second place in the 1600 and the 800 meter runs at league championships last year.

She'll tell you herself, "It's all about playing hard and having fun."