Stacy Bair has dreams of playing soccer at a very high level, including aspirations of one day suiting up for the U.S. National team.As lofty as that might appear, the Sky View sophomore certainly appears to be on the right track.
Bair received some big news recently when she was invited to represent Region IV at the National Development Camp Feb. 16-20 in Coral Springs, Fla. Bair left Cache Valley at 3 a.m. today for the Sunshine State.
Only 17 players from Region IV — which consists of 12 western states — were invited to attend this development camp for the U16 National team, and Bair is believed to be the first one ever from Cache Valley, according to Bair’s mother, Janet, and local club soccer coach Robson Chaves.
Needless to say, Bair is ecstatic for the opportunity to join such a select group of players. Bair caught word of the invitation when Janet Bair received an e-mail from Joyce Bordley, the girls administrator for Region IV’s Olympic Development Program (ODP).
“I was really excited,” Stacy Bair said. “I was a little nervous because I didn’t know if anybody that I knew would be going ... but then I found out that there were a couple people that I know who are going to the same camp, so I would be fine.”
Bair caught the attention of scouts for the camp by showcasing her ability at the Region IV ODP Championships, Jan. 16-19 in Phoenix. The striker played for the Utah 94 team and was a big reason the squad from the Beehive State advanced to the championship match.
During Utah’s five matches, Bair scored three goals and assisted on two others. Utah battled perennial power California South tooth and nail twice in the tournament, losing 1-0 in group play and in the finals.
Fellow Sky View forward Jessica Brooksby was also on the team, which notched victories over New Mexico (2-1) and Washington (5-0) after a tough 2-1 setback to Arizona.
Brooksby, a freshman, also played well in Phoenix, scoring a goal en route to being named to the 94 all-tournament first team.
Bair also played on the 94 squad a year ago, helping it advance to the championship match, as well. That team was handily beaten by California South 4-1 for the title, but Utah was a lot more competitive this time around.
The Richmond native credited better team cohesion and new head coach Heather Cairns and her staff for Utah 94’s improvement.
“I think that we just had better organization than we did last year, and the coaching was better this year, I thought,” Bair said. “And we played more as a team because we got to know each other better than last year.
“Because it was all kind of just put together (last year) and we didn’t know each other that well, but this year was a lot better, I felt.”
Joining Bair at the national camp is fellow Utah 94 teammate Maris Hamblin (Lone Peak), and Juan Diego products Monique Morrison and Victoria Shimkus. Morrison and Shimkus both played for Utah 93 at the recent ODP tournament, and all four players are in the Region IV ODP pool for their respective age groups.
As a sophomore for Sky View, Bair was one of the 4A’s most dangerous strikers. Bair led the Bobcats in goals and assists with 11 and seven, respectively.
Bair’s success has led to opportunities to attend several camps throughout the country, in addition to the national camp. The costs involved with Bair’s soccer endeavors are starting to take their toll, however. As a result, the Bair family is looking for local businesses to help sponsor the camps.
“You want to give them every opportunity to succeed,” said Janet Bair, who made it a point to thank all of those who have helped fund Stacy’s trips.
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3 comments:
jhbair151 wrote on Feb 16, 2010 12:48 PM:
" Great article! This opportunity comes from Club soccer and ODP and has nothing to do with High School. Club soccer is the only way to go! Thanks to great coaches like Robson Chaves, Jeff Ginn with Infinity Soccer Club, and all of the ODP coaches Heather Cairns,and staff for great coaching and getting Stacy where she is today.
Keep working hard Stac! "
ForeverSoccer wrote on Feb 16, 2010 4:27 PM:
" At a young age Stacy decided she wanted to excel in soccer. She is a tremendous athlete that spends countless hours on her own with a ball at her feet or working on her fitness. The magic of Stacy's success comes from being placed in the proper environment, one that has the players best interest in mind. Stacy has excelled due to the environment she has been placed in by her loving parents, caring coaches and teammates. Her club experiences and H.S. experiences have elevated her to have the desire to take the passion of soccer to an elite level. Stacy needs to be credited for having high standards on and off of the field. She is a brilliant young woman with doors opening as a result of her quality decision making and desire to hold herself at a higher level than anyone else expects of her. I dare say that she is the Mia Hamm of our community. She is someone we should all rally behind and be excited for. Stacy is one of the top 100 players in the nation at her age and yet she is humble, is a great example to her peers, teammates, her younger club mates and everyone she comes in contact with. It has been a privilege to be able to train her over the past two years. I can't take much (if any) credit for the level of soccer that Stacy has aspired to as she caught the soccer bug long before I got the opportunity to be part of her soccer career. Your club and community support you Stacy, never sell yourself short of your dreams and always stay passionate for what you and the love of that ball are capable of accomplishing. "
Stacy is a quality person. She has worked with our daughter and is a great role model for her. Her biggest help has come in the way she lives her life- hard work, dedication, love of the sport, and kindness. She also has an amazing support team in her family. You are awesome Stacy!
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