Congratulations to Brandon Westrick - Class of 2016, Whitmer High School

Washington Local Soccer congratulates Referee Brandon Westrick as he graduates from Whitmer High School this Saturday.

Brandon first joined our organization as a Kindergarten player, and played here until the 3rd Grade. At that point, he decided it was time for better competition, and moved up to travel soccer. His years at Glass City gave him the opportunity to develop the skill set needed for a successful high school career.

While at Whitmer, Brandon played 3 years of Varsity soccer and only his Freshman season on the JV team. He led the Panthers as Captain in his Junior and Senior seasons.

He returned to Washington Local Soccer in 2012 to become a referee. He started on the U-5 division, and quickly worked his way up to the U-14 field. Brandon has been our Lead Referee on that field since the Fall 2014 season.

While at Whitmer, Brandon was involved in the Computer Network Program for two years. He plans to attend Owens Community College in the Fall, where he'll study Wide Area Network Tech.

He is an avid Columbus Crew fan, and attended several matches last season and during their playoff run, including the Final.

Here is what Brandon had to say about his time in Washington Local Soccer:

"Being given the chance to referee on some of the very fields that I've played on makes it very special to me. I hope all the kids in WLSC get the chance to do the same. At Whitmer, my proudest moments were when I was wearing that jersey on the field under the lights in front of all the fans. It's a special feeling being out there and playing with all my friends and teammates. Hearing your name being called on the speaker gets you excited and gives me butterflies in my stomach. It makes me feel like all my hard work, starting at WLSC, has all paid off in that moment" -Brandon Westrick, WLSC Referee, Class of 2016

Congratulations to Emily Roberts - Class of 2016, Whitmer High School

Washington Local Soccer congratulates Referee Emily Roberts as she graduates from Whitmer High School this Saturday.

Emily first joined our organization as a player while in the Kindergarten/First Grade division. She continued playing from 2nd-5th grade in southern Ohio when her family moved there. She returned to Washington Local Soccer from grades 6-8 when they returned to Northwest Ohio. 

After leaving WLSC as a player, Emily went on to play all four years for the Whitmer Lady Panthers Soccer team. She was on JV for two years, and Varsity her Junior and Senior seasons.

In addition to playing high school soccer, she has also been a volunteer Assistant Coach for WLSC in the U-5 Division, and as has been a Referee since the Fall 2013 season.

Outside of soccer, Emily was very active during her years at Whitmer. She was involved in the following:

• Marching Band / Symphonic Band

• Secret Spirits

• The National Honor Society

• Was named an Academic All-Star (graduating Summa Cum Laude)

• Was named a BCSN Ace Award recipient in the Fall of 2015

Upon graduating, Emily plans to attend Muskingum University in New Concord, OH this Fall, where she'll study Athletic Training. We wish you the best of luck, Emily!

In Her Own Words

When I asked Emily for the information to write this post, she included the following thought. It reminds us all that youth soccer teaches valuable lessons that are much more important and longer-lasting than wins and losses could ever be.

Here is what Emily had to say about her time in Washington Local Soccer:

"It has been a great opportunity to be involved with Washington Local Soccer as a player, a referee and a Volunteer Coach. My parents signed me up for soccer as a kid because I was always in timeout and needed an outlet for my energy. Playing soccer my first years with WLSC taught me how to focus and gave me the fundamental skills to be able to play at a higher level. Thank you to Kathy, Tom, Summer and Cameron for the amazing amount of time and commitment that they put in to make sure that our community has a program like this." -Emily Roberts, WLSC Referee, Class of 2016