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Prep Roundup
Columnists Brian Meadows Brad NormanMembersLocal Connection› Iredell County Young Athletes Association› South Iredell Athletics Association › SHS athletics › WIHS athletics › NIHS athletics › SIHS athletics › LNHS athletics Syndicate RSSAP NASCAR NASCAR Features A look at this year's schedule A look at this year's drivers Differences between stock car and open-wheel racing NASCAR Research & Development Petty Enterprises splitter testing Aerodynamic testing in Concord's wind tunnel Top 10 moments in Daytona history Site StatisticsThis page has been viewed 773856 timesPage rendered in 0.2191 seconds Total Stories: 2136 Total Comments: 34 Most Recent Entry: 08/15/2008 01:53 pm Most Recent Comment on: 04/17/2008 11:54 pm Most Recent Visitor on: 02/09/2012 11:26 am |
• Public Schools • Lake Norman High School • top story
2008 Jul-23
Gwilt’s all-star experience an ‘awesome’ oneBy BRIAN MEADOWS A simple handshake wouldn’t do. “You can handle a little sweat,” a perspiring Gwilt told his former high school coach with a chuckle. Two people who played large roles in helping make Lake Norman boys soccer team a powerhouse hugged, then went their separate ways. With Gwilt anchoring a rock-solid defense, Perry guided Lake Norman to the first of consecutive 3A state championships in 2006 before taking the head coaching position at Mallard Creek in Huntersville. Earlier this summer, Perry described selecting Gwilt for the all-star game as “a no-brainer.” “He has always been such a classy guy, a classy player,” Perry said Tuesday. “He takes whatever role you give him with a smile on his face and gives a 100-percent effort.” Tuesday’s showdown ended in a 0-0 draw, but Gwilt’s performance helped the West sustain constant pressure in the first half and control portions of the second half. Gwilt, who played all 80 minutes at right-side defender, stymied East attacks and cleared the ball out of harm’s way on several occasions. He even made a run with the ball deep into the East’s defensive third midway through the opening 40 minutes. It generated a corner kick, which the Lake Norman graduate nearly capitalized on. Michael Kohlmeir’s service into the box from the right corner flag found Gwilt, but East goalkeeper Visili Dimopoulos recorded the first of his five saves before the intermission. “Unlucky there,” Gwilt said of his header. Dimopoulos was Gwilt’s teammate in the “Clash of the Carolinas” on July 12, when North Carolina and South Carolina battled to scoreless tie. The goalkeeper only had to make one save in that affair, paving the way for Gwilt’s selection as the N.C. squad’s Most Valuable Player. “I know a lot of other players probably don’t get to play in an all-star game, let alone two, so this was really nice,” Gwilt said. Gwilt became the fourth Lake Norman soccer player to compete in East-West soccer games. His sister, Kelsey, the Wildcats’ all-time leading goal scorer, played in the girls game two years ago. She was in attendance Tuesday, seated beside her parents and current Lake Norman coach Jon Mertes, who led the Lake Norman boys team to a second straight undefeated season and another state title last fall. Gwilt caught a break with the weather, in contrast to the 90-degree heat his sister encountered during the 2006 summer showcase. Thunderstorms that pounded the region Tuesday dodged the stadium. A light drizzle fell at kickoff but eventually subsided, giving way to a soft, steady breeze for the remainder of the evening. “We all thought we’d get rained out,” Gwilt said. “It turned out to be awesome.” Perry echoed those sentiments, even though he had hoped to lead the West to its first win since 2004. The East leads the series 8-6-3. “Nobody coaches for the money,” Perry said. “This is a really nice honor. It tells you that you’re doing something right if they recognize you and send you here.” Perry now turns his attention back to the upcoming high school season, his second at Mallard Creek. Meanwhile, Gwilt is preparing for his college career at Queens University. He reports Aug. 10 to the Division II school in Charlotte. The Royals open the 2008 season Aug. 17 at Davidson. An all-state defender, Gwilt said he hopes to play right away, and he feels he has a better chance to do that at a smaller school. “Queens has got a sleeper,” Perry said. “He could play D-I. He made a good choice. He’s going to go where he wants to go. I’m happy — I guess that’s a little greedy, because I’ll get to go watch him more.” Bookmarkz |
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