Upward soccer season wraps up
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Three players battle for the ball side by side.

The House of Prayer's Upward soccer program hosted the final games of its inaugural season over the weekend, as the ministry took another step forward in its development.

"Overall we were extremely pleased with a successful first season," League Commissioner Lee Baenninger said. "[We got] all very positive feedback. People were very pleased with the quality of the coaches and felt there was a lot of sincerity there in how they cared for their children, the equal playing time, and the solid schedule."

The soccer program involved more than 90 participants, roughly 20 more than what turned out for basketball. League participants ranged from kindergarten through fourth grade, and were split into three divisions of four teams. "We actually had a smaller age group pool than basketball did," Baenninger said, "yet we had more participants. Next year we intend to extend that through fifth and sixth."

Baenninger also said that the season will likely be shortened next season and started earlier, so that it does not run into the start of recreation sports. "We are really looking ahead and analyzing what we did, and how we can do it better, to be a first class option for recreational activities for people's children," Baenninger said. "I think its been very helpful getting in there and getting my feet wet and I'll be able to help more with the other sports."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam This youngster drives the ball toward the goal.

Baenninger also said that everyone involved in the program is very grateful to all those in the community who donated their time and money to help make the program a success in its inaugural season.

Next on the agenda for the Upward program is a pair of basketball and cheerleading camps this summer. Those are tentatively scheduled for the latter part of June. The church is also looking at the possibility of adding flag football.

"We have a group that is going to go to one of the leadership conferences in the fall to look at it," Baenninger said. "We have a lot of people from the community asking what's next, which is very encouraging. You always wonder, when you are doing a program, are people pleased with it? But when people ask you 'what are you doing next,' then you know you have done something right."