RAINER'S RAMBLINGS
Huge accomplishment
By RAINER ARNOLD

I normally do not write my editorials about sports, but today is a little different. Maybe a lot different. I am writing about Young Harris College winning a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. I got to thinking about that the other day and thought how big of an achievement that feat really is.

Some small schools win state titles but here we have a small Junior College that won the NATIONAL TITLE not by squeaking by, but by defeating each opponent via a shut out. Yes, you read right. Last week YHC's Lady Mountaineers defeated three very good soccer teams from all over the USA to earn their undisputed title.

First they beat Harford JC of Bel Air, MD 3- 0. The next victim was Schoolcraft JC of Livonia, MI that fell 2-0. Finally they beat Iowa Western, 2-0, who had defeated the previous #1 team in the nation on penalty kicks.

I also need to tell you that this was not a fluke. YHC Lady Mountaineers soccer teams have been in the nation's elite ever since I moved up here about 5 years ago. And, credit has to go to their coach, Kathy Brown.

This woman works hard, is apparently a great coach and good manager of young ladies. She probably knows her soccer well also. To be honest, I know she knows her soccer well. After all, we used to play on a co-ed soccer team a few years back when she was pregnant with her first child. Thus, she also owns another quality that is a great asset for any coach. She is tough.

Coach Brown showing her exuberance after the final whistle blows and she and her troops earn a National Title.

Oh, before I forget, she was also named National Coach of the Year for 2006. Two players, Megan Bruso and Aline Pugliesi, made the All-Tournament team and the goalkeeper who had three shutouts became the MVP of all goalkeepers while Danila Montierro was the MVP of the offensive players.

What an achievement for a team and a coach and what pride the college must feel for being able to point to their lady soccer team and say that they represented YHC so well.

In all reality YHC should be proud of Coach Brown and her team. They represented the college and our community well. And YHC may not be in Union County, but they are interwoven with our county as they are with Towns County.

And now, I want to tie it in locally. UCHS has a fine girls soccer program that has been headed up for many years by coach Tim Hunter. HE recently told me that his team should be very good this year. And in years past some of the players have gone on to play in area colleges. Would it not be great if YHC would recruit some UCHS girls players and with their help win another NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Anyway, congratulations to coach Brown and her entire team for an achievement that seldom is repeated.