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King, Kos among multiple county athletes honored
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Published: June 9, 2009
As a midfielder, Tia King helped Lake Norman claim early lead after early lead throughout the 2009 girls soccer season.
As a defender, Meghan Kos made sure they stood up.
The Wildcats tandem, among the best in the county and North Piedmont 3A at their respective positions, were both voted to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State team.
"It definitely means something," Kos said. "I've wanted it for all my years at Lake Norman. That's been my goal. A lot of other girls I admired were on that team before."
Kos is a rare four-year starter at Lake Norman, which developed into a state power during her high school years.
Lake Norman has gone 86-11-4 over the last four years while boasting some of the best defenders in the state.
The award was especially gratifying for Kos, one of Lake Norman's co-captains, given the nature of her position.
A total of 27 players were named to the all-state team, with the following breakdown: 12 midfielders, nine forwards, four defenders and two keepers.
So, how does one get noticed as a defender?
"Honestly, just shut down the well-known forwards," Kos said. "That's usually the best way to do it. When they see you shut down Callie Simpkins, who is going to Duke, the other coaches know that's pretty good."
Also a senior, King returned to Lake Norman this year after moving to Mississippi before her junior year.
A force in the middle, she scored five goals and assisted 12 others in helping lead the Wildcats to the third round of the state playoffs.
She also set the tempo of the game, won loose balls and helped direct the action on the field.
"It was something I was definitely shooting for," King said. "I knew my best chance to make it was as a senior. I really wanted to get all-state this year and worked really hard to get there."
King was pleasantly surprised by how smooth the transition was this year when she moved back into the Lake Norman district after being away for a year.
The bonds King forged with her teammates as an underclassman remained upon her return, and she was rewarded for her strong play and leadership by being named a co-captain.
"It felt like I wasn't gone before," King said. "I felt like I've had four years here. It was like I never left, which was awesome."
King has accepted a scholarship to play at the University of Alabama next year.
Heart of a champion
West Iredell's Michael Gatton and former Lake Norman student Kelsey Thrasher were two of just 27 athletes from every school in North Carolina to win the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Heart of a Champion award.
According to the NCHSAA, recipients must have participated in at least one varsity sport, be ejection free and demonstrate high citizenship and sportsmanship.
"Michael is such a well-rounded young man," said West athletic director Mark Weycker, who nominated Gatton. "He's done a great job within the classroom, and is one of those few kids in this day and time that is a three-sport athlete."
Gatton, who will play baseball at Guilford College next year, is West Iredell's third consecutive athlete to win the award.
Jared Thompson was honored in 2008 and Brittany Ballard got it in 2007.
Thrasher, who graduated from Lake Norman in 2008, was nominated by Lake Norman athletic director Steve Rankin.
A cheerleader for four years, Thrasher was diagnosed with cancer late in her senior year.
"It was late March, early April (in 2008) before she first started showing any systems," Rankin said. "But she is doing great now, from what I understand."
Nominations for the 2008 Heart of a Champion Award had already passed when Thrasher first showed cancer signs. During a Region 7 meeting earlier this school year, Rankin bumped into NCHSAA official Mark Dreibelbis and relayed Thrasher's story.
Dreibelbis told Rankin to nominated her for this year's award.
"He said it sounded like she deserved it and to send it in," Rankin said. "They wanted to honor her with this award, and we're glad she got it."
The next level
West Iredell standout Greg Eldridge has found a home for next year. The Warriors' top defensive lineman last season will play at Guilford College.
Eldridge racked up 72 tackles last year, including five for loss, and one sack en route to being named to the R&L's all county second-team.
"Greg is one of those kids that works tremendously hard," Weycker said. "He'll be a good academic fit there and will be a young man that will be a great impact there. Greg just got progressively better here and can still get even better."
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