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No off-season for Lady Bulldog soccer standout
SIKESTON -- Webster's describes the word passion as an object of desire or deep interest.
The above definition fits the attitude and mentality of Sikeston junior Jordi Ferrell for the sport of soccer.
Last summer, Ferrell went to the University of North Carolina's soccer camp and made the all-camp team, played with a select team from Massachusetts in addition to playing for her club team up to three times a week in St. Louis.
"I have games every Sunday," said Ferrell who began playing soccer at the age of four. "Sometimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays games will be held, but every Sunday I am playing soccer. I also practice three times a week in St. Louis. My parents drive me up there and they just love the fact that I am so dedicated to a sport. I want to constantly improve my play and be the best I can possibly be."
The Woodchips are Ferrell's club team and they participate in the top league in the Midwest for the 18-and-under premier division. Besides play with the Chips, Ferrell will begin an intensive couple of months of non-stop soccer action.
While many high school students will take it easy over the holiday season, Ferrell will be hard at work trying to improve her game.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Ferrell will play for a team out of Kansas in a tournament in Texas. During the Christmas break, Ferrell will be playing at a tournament in Florida with her club team.
The crowded schedule that Ferrell has set up for herself brings into question the downfall of many a young athlete...burnout. Ask Ferrell about burnout and she speaks of nothing but love for the game.
"I enjoy the game of soccer way too much to just give it up," said Ferrell. "I love everything about it. I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing when I am playing soccer. When the boys are playing I am out there cheering them on and just learning the game from Coach (Derrick) Long. I love to learn about new coaching philosophies and strategies."
One can wonder about burnout, but don't wonder about Ferrell's skills on the pitch. Last season in her first varsity experience after missing her freshman year with an injury for the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs, Ferrell earned second team all-state honors as well as being chosen for first team attributes for all-
conference, region and districts.
"Jordi has outstanding skills, no doubt," said Long, who is the boys and girls head coach at Sikeston, "but I am more impressed with the way she understands the game. Jordi is constantly trying to help out her teammates, especially the freshmen. She is like a coach on the field."
Currently, Ferrell is gearing up for a college showcase tournament to be held in California. Over 300 college coaches will get a chance to see Ferrell out on the soccer field. In addition, Ferrell is committed to play for the Missouri Olympic Development Program which will be coached by two University of Missouri coaches and has a chance to play for the International Development Program next summer in Canada and Mexico.