![Walking through the tunnel created by the cheerleaders and Celebrities, senior Frances Tran smiles as the soccer team is sent off during DEN for their playoff game against Rouse tonight. Tran said the wins against Smithson Valley and Alamo Heights gave the team a morale boost to take on the Raiders tonight. “I know we were not 100% confident in those games,” Tran said. “But, Rouse is a big opponent for sure. We’re definitely going into tonight with a lot of morale [because of the previous wins].”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/frances-tran.jpg)
![Holding a bucket of materials in one hand and a roll of tape in another, anatomy and biology teacher Tyler Terry prepares for a lab. Terry said his proudest moments are when his students are happy to see him. “When I take my wife to a football game or something and a bunch of students want to say hi to me or they like to smile and wave and it just makes me feel good that the students are really kind and supportive of me,” Terry said. “[I’m also] proud when I see students perform really well in their extracurriculars because I can see how hard they’re working in my classes, [so] when I see that they’re also working so hard in other things. Like they’re winning band competitions or they’re getting awards for their theater productions, or I see them put on their choir shows, that’s like, wow, you guys are incredible.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rags-6.png)
![Catching a ball, junior Alivia Robinson plays at the Cedar Park vs Glenn game. Having played since she was 5 years old, she is dedicated to softball and has committed to UTPB for softball. “When I got my offer it took me a very long time to decide where,” Robinson said. “Softball has always been my dream for college, and UTPB is my fit. When [I committed] I knew I was going to be loved and supported.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lilly-Adams-3.13aliviaedit-901.jpg)
![Holding her dog, Nova, senior Ariana Balakrishnan poses for her senior pictures while Nova wears a bandana with her college decision. Balakrishnan applied to 18 colleges in total, but she decided on Columbia in the end. “Right before I clicked the button to open Columbia’s letter, I literally looked at the camera and go ‘This is just gonna really suck because I wanted it so bad,’ and I clicked it and all of a sudden you hear trumpets,” Balakrishnan said. “There’s a video that plays when you open it and I actually didn’t watch the video, I just watched the screen go black, because every day of December before ED [Early Decision] I would go on YouTube and watch the acceptance video to manifest it, so immediately when the screen went black, I started screaming and jumping up and down. And my parents in the video are like ‘What are you doing, where’s the letter,’ and I was just screaming ‘I got in, I got in.” I just started crying, and it just felt like everything in the world came together.”](https://cphswolfpack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ariana-2-300x217.jpg)
Steam from the players rises up into the dark sky as the game continues. The ball gets thrown into the air, heading straight towards the huddle of players. One distinct player runs straight through, stealing the ball away from the crowd heading straight to the goal. At this point, it’s a one v. one to determine the game winner.
Since she was three years old, junior Meredith Koltz has played her favorite sport, soccer. Since freshman year, Koltz has been on the Varsity team and her only con would be the six a.m. morning practice.
“At first it was hard; the level of soccer was not my issue though,” Koltz said. “I found myself mainly struggling socially during my freshman year. I feel that now I have truly found a family of people and a great team to be with.”
Koltz is a forward striker, whose main objective is to create space and is responsible for scoring goals.
“My favorite [position] to play is forward/winger,” Koltz said. “That’s mainly because I love the freedom to run and be creative up top.”
As well as for the school soccer team, Koltz plays for the Sting Austin ECNL Club. The league plays on the national level and in order to be a part of the team, players have to try out. The league offers high-level training and hosts games and tournaments for players to be scouted at.
“I train everyday, whether it is high school or club soccer; I make sure I grow as an athlete every day,” Kotlz said. “Playing for my team motivates me the best. I work for them, I go the extra mile for them. Any and every sacrifice is for the team I represent and work for.”
The girls varsity soccer team is currently 7-2-1 with six district games left in the season. The next home game is tonight at 7:15 p.m.
“I think this team is full of amazing individuals who all have the same goal of wanting to compete with the best and play our best soccer,” Koltz said. “I have high expectations for this team and I know with our chemistry and worth ethic we can get just about anything accomplished.”
After high school, Koltz plans on attending college and hopes to play soccer for whichever schools she attends.
“I am currently working very hard on getting seen by college coaches and going through the recruiting process diligently,” Koltz said. “I want to play for a school that I can have an impact on and that will set me up for success both on and off the field.”
Koltz has had her fair share of awards as well. Last year, Koltz won the 5A District Most Valuable Player, THSCA Super Elite Team, Academic All-District Award, Texas Girls 5A All-State Team, Cedar Park High School Most Valuable Player and the Top Goal Scorer in our District (5A Region 4).
“[The awards] make me proud,” Koltz said. “It is not easy proving yourself day-in and day-out, but if it makes the team better, I believe it is worth it.”
Whether it’s bruises, breaks or tears, Koltz has been through lots of injuries. However, she said setbacks do not bring her down.
“The biggest effect [injuries] have had on me would be the state of rest [they put me in]—I do not like sitting out or resting so if I am hurt sometimes my lack of rest further induces my injury,” Koltz said. “Through communicating with my coaches and physical therapist, I have found my recoveries take place faster and prevent more injuries.”
Koltz said that the best part about being on the soccer team is that she is never alone. The whole program represents the same beliefs as her and always strives for the best of her playing ability.
“My favorite memory would have to be any and every goal scored by our program,” Koltz said. “Whether I am scoring or someone else, the energy is amazing. We are hugging, screaming, jumping and cheering for one another with such passion. It allows me to escape any mistake previously made and truly embrace the passion we all have for the game.”
Jidi • Feb 28, 2024 at 5:29 pm
First Class…making of a champion and still modest!