Bernie Fratto

Speaking
of
Sports 

by
Bernie 
Fratto

 
Novi Capitalizes…
Again

8/6/07

 “The future’s so bright,
I gotta wear shades”
- ZZ TOP

Without embellishing, Novi is perhaps becoming the Soccer Capital of Michigan, if not the nation.

The Novi Jaguars U14 (’93) recently returned home after successfully capturing the prestigious ‘Score at the Shore’ tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina.

After defeating the State Cup Finalists from New York, Virginia and Florida in succession, they took on the State Cup Champs from Texas in the Semi-Finals. After prevailing 2-1, only the State Cup Champs from Florida stood in the way of a Tournament Championship.

Once again, the Novi Jags were victorious, besting their counterparts from Florida 3-2!

Novi residents Molli Krick, Courtney Kramer and Brooke McMahan all played major roles. Krick, a center midfielder played very well and assisted on two goals. Kramer, a left midfielder was solid the entire tournament and assisted on a goal as well. Meanwhile McMahan played flawless defense from her position as a left back.

Given their successes, the Team has now been re-named the ‘Michigan Jags FC’ a moniker that recognizes their accomplishments as one of the top teams in the State.

Big props to Coach Joe Malachino as they accomplished this feat while three of their players were away at National Camp and were unable to participate. Congrats are in fact in order, for Olivia Brannon, Taylor Niewolt and Jenna O’Dell who made the National Pool in California.

Meanwhile, the Novi Jaguars ’96 Girls Green Team, coached by Mario and Andrea Galindo, finished the season as the Nations #1 ranked team according to nationalsoccerranking.com.

Featuring 7 girls that are Novi residents (Kendall Kramer, Caitlyn Cook, Kerry McMahan, Jacqui Kozlowski, Gabrielle DeLeon, Katie Erdman and Jade Antolec, the team will compete in the U12 Division this fall.

An accomplished group, Coach(s) Galindo have led this team to 12 tournament victories since its inception including the prestigious Jefferson Cup this past spring.

The Novi High School Wildcats Girls Soccer Team is still basking in the glow of three-straight State Championships, but if this summer is any indication, the future’s so bright, you gotta wear shades.

Soccer Capital USA - Novi, Michigan!

(c) 2007 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org

___________________________________
Bernie Fratto
is a freelance writer, radio personality, and motivational speaker.  His passion for sports comes in part from his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand.  "Behind every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings" said Fratto.  "These athletic endeavors often serve as a metaphor for the game we call life."

Bernie is also on the broadcast team at Live 97.1FM talk-radio, and is a frequent co-host on the popular "Parker & The Man Show," a nightly sportstalk show which airs Monday-Friday from 7-11pm.