West, Hirtzinger are tops in Clark County

Chloe West

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Kristi Hirtzinger

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:52 PM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — If there’s one thing Northwestern High School sophomore Chloe West knows she can rely on, it’s her speed.

“It really helps out a lot,” West said. “It’s one of my biggest assets. If I do lose the ball, I can go and get it.”

She used it to become one of the most dangerous players in Clark County this fall.

After tallying 17 goals and 10 assists, West was named the 2009 News-Sun All-Clark County Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Shawnee coach Kristi Hirtzinger was named the 2009 News-Sun All-Clark County Coach of the Year after guiding the Braves to an 11-5-2 record this season, the best in school history.

The awards are based on regular-season performance only.

West played both striker and midfielder for the Warriors, who won their first Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division title since 2006.

“I felt like my role was trying to carry the ball and feed people,” West said. “If I needed to, I could score as well. I try to get the ball and move forward with it as much as possible. I don’t play around with it.”

Hirtzinger said the Braves’ young talent finally started to come together this season. They played in several big games, beating Bellefontaine and tying eventual league champion Tippecanoe. They also won their first Division I tournament game in school history, beating Fairborn.

“It was a really exciting year,” Hirtzinger said. “I was really proud of the girls for coming together and setting some goals and pushing each other.”

She said her two assistant coaches, Travis Baise and former Shawnee boys coach Devin Meister, played a big role in the team’s success as well.

“Their contribution is really what made a big difference as well,” Hirtzinger said. “It was a teamwork effort on the coaches’ part, in addition to the players’ part.”

Joining West on the first team was teammate Lauren Bischoff, as well as Tecumseh’s Jessica Boggs; Kenton Ridge’s Liz Mathews, Arika Roush and Kaitie Harrison; Northeastern’s Jessica Rebert; Shawnee’s Briana Baise; Greenon’s Kyra Dorney; Southeastern’s Jenna Erwin and Catholic Central’s Katie Felty.

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