Austen's All State Game and Honors Ceremony

My last post on Austen's high school soccer season (well, really his high school soccer career). It's been a very long high school season this time around (grateful!) but today marks the end with a private ceremony for the program since Varsity went so late in the season and the banquet was literally the day after the state championship/3rd place game (see below video of coach talking about Austen). 

First, Austen was honored in mid November at the Illinois High School Athletic Association ceremony for being an All State player this year. What an honor - and it was also very special that Uncle Mark was there too (as a coach he goes every year). 

Then Austen got to play in the All State game for high school players (although this was more of a recruiting thing and he wasn't happy with me that I signed him up) and thought it would be fun to end his high school soccer career with this game. Turns out it was a total bust - kids were not very talented and Austen's team ended up getting walloped like 7-1. Of course, Austen didn't care who was in the stands since he wasn't playing college soccer so he volunteered to play outside back - which I don't think I've seen him play since he was a little kid. 

But today was the day when the high school soccer program gave out the individual awards and released its storied 52-year book of statistics which chronicles all the player data since soccer began at their school. 

He came home with an armful of awards and accolades. Austen clearly left his mark on the program and his name in the record books. Not only was he named MVP by his coaches/teammates, he was: 

- only the 21st player in the history of HCHS to be named an All State Player in 2024

- selected as an all conference player in 2024

- top scorer for 2024 season

- 8th all time in career points (goals and assists) for the Red Devils with 61

- 10th all time for most points (goals and assists) for the Red Devils in a season with 37

- 10th all time for most goals in a season with 13 (remember he's a midfielder too - not a forward whose job is to score the goals)

- 4th all time for most career (2022-2024) assists for the Red Devils with 20 

- 5th all time for most assists in a season with 11

Not even mentioning his athletic academic accomplishments and honors here (which he received too) but just feeling grateful that he chose to play high school soccer and got to have an amazing Senior Year (even after a rough start to the season) where he was recognized for his leadership and his soccer skills. 

Beyond proud of him. I told him that he can add his MVP plaque next to mine from my Senior Year in high school. He said, "Okay, but I was a better player than you, right?" "Yes, for sure," I said. And he is. A way better player than me - except when he plays the "6" (defense) then I can still take him!